{"id":32,"date":"2021-12-10T14:19:04","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T14:19:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/?page_id=32"},"modified":"2025-11-05T20:12:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T20:12:10","slug":"students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/students\/","title":{"rendered":"What these students, faculty and alumni have in common is success"},"content":{"rendered":"<style type=\"text\/css\">#envira-gallery-19 .envira-caption{text-align: left !important;background-color: #eeeeee !important;padding: 15px !important;}#envira-gallery-19 .envira-title{background-color: #002856 !important;color: white !important;padding: 5px !important;}<\/style><div id=\"envira-gallery-wrap-19\" class=\"envira-gallery-wrap envira-lazy-loading-disabled envira-layout-mason envira-gallery-theme-base\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\"><div class=\"envira-loader\"><div><\/div><div><\/div><div><\/div><div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-19\" class=\"envira-gallery-public envira-gallery-3-columns envira-clear enviratope\" data-envira-id=\"19\" data-gallery-config='{\"type\":\"default\",\"layout\":\"mason\",\"columns\":\"3\",\"gallery_theme\":\"base\",\"justified_margins\":1,\"justified_last_row\":\"nojustify\",\"lazy_loading\":0,\"lazy_loading_delay\":500,\"gutter\":15,\"margin\":15,\"image_size\":\"default\",\"square_size\":300,\"crop_width\":640,\"crop_height\":480,\"crop\":0,\"crop_position\":\"c\",\"additional_copy_0\":0,\"additional_copy_title\":0,\"additional_copy_caption\":0,\"additional_copy_title_caption\":0,\"additional_copy_0_mobile\":0,\"additional_copy_title_mobile\":0,\"additional_copy_caption_mobile\":0,\"additional_copy_title_caption_mobile\":0,\"gallery_column_title_caption\":\"title_caption\",\"gallery_column_title_caption_mobile\":\"title_caption\",\"additional_copy_automatic_0\":0,\"additional_copy_automatic_title\":0,\"additional_copy_automatic_caption\":0,\"additional_copy_automatic_title_caption\":0,\"additional_copy_automatic_0_mobile\":0,\"additional_copy_automatic_title_mobile\":0,\"additional_copy_automatic_caption_mobile\":0,\"additional_copy_automatic_title_caption_mobile\":0,\"gallery_automatic_title_caption\":\"title_caption\",\"gallery_automatic_title_caption_mobile\":\"0\",\"justified_row_height\":150,\"description_position\":\"0\",\"description\":\"\",\"random\":\"date\",\"sort_order\":\"date\",\"sorting_direction\":\"DESC\",\"image_sizes_random\":[],\"isotope\":true,\"lightbox_enabled\":0,\"gallery_link_enabled\":0,\"lightbox_theme\":\"base_dark\",\"lightbox_image_size\":\"default\",\"title_display\":\"float\",\"lightbox_title_caption\":\"title\",\"arrows\":1,\"arrows_position\":\"inside\",\"toolbar\":0,\"toolbar_title\":0,\"toolbar_position\":\"top\",\"loop\":1,\"lightbox_open_close_effect\":\"fade\",\"effect\":\"fade\",\"supersize\":0,\"thumbnails_toggle\":0,\"thumbnails_hide\":0,\"image_counter\":0,\"thumbnails\":1,\"thumbnails_width\":\"auto\",\"thumbnails_height\":\"auto\",\"thumbnails_position\":\"bottom\",\"thumbnails_custom_size\":0,\"mobile\":1,\"mobile_width\":320,\"mobile_height\":240,\"mobile_lightbox\":1,\"mobile_gallery_link_enabled\":0,\"mobile_arrows\":1,\"mobile_toolbar\":1,\"mobile_thumbnails\":1,\"mobile_touchwipe_close\":0,\"mobile_thumbnails_width\":75,\"mobile_thumbnails_height\":50,\"mobile_justified_row_height\":80,\"keyboard\":true,\"standalone_template\":\"\",\"classes\":[\"\"],\"rtl\":0,\"slug\":\"students\",\"custom_css\":\"#envira-gallery-19 .envira-caption{\\r\\n\\ttext-align: left !important;\\r\\n\\tbackground-color: #eeeeee !important;\\r\\n\\tpadding: 15px !important;\\r\\n}\\r\\n\\r\\n#envira-gallery-19 .envira-title{\\r\\n\\tbackground-color: #002856 !important;\\r\\n\\tcolor: white !important;\\r\\n\\tpadding: 5px !important;\\r\\n}\",\"pagination\":1,\"pagination_position\":\"below\",\"pagination_images_per_page\":25,\"pagination_prev_next\":\"numbered_previous_next\",\"pagination_prev_text\":\"&laquo; Previous\",\"pagination_next_text\":\"Next &raquo;\",\"pagination_scroll\":0,\"pagination_ajax_load\":2,\"pagination_button_text\":\"Load More\",\"pagination_lightbox_display_all_images\":0,\"mobile_pagination_images_per_page\":20,\"mobile_pagination_prev_next\":\"numbered_previous_next\",\"gutter_mobile\":15,\"show_more_text\":\"Click for more\",\"lightbox_html_caption\":0,\"download_all\":0,\"download_all_position\":\"below\",\"download_all_label\":\"Download All Images\",\"download\":0,\"download_custom_name\":\"\",\"download_position\":\"top-left\",\"download_image_size\":\"default\",\"download_force\":0,\"download_invalid_password_message\":false,\"download_mobile\":0,\"download_lightbox\":0,\"download_lightbox_position\":\"top-left\",\"download_lightbox_force\":0,\"download_lightbox_mobile\":0,\"pagination_total_pages\":7,\"gallery_id\":\"19\"}' data-gallery-images='[{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg\",\"title\":\"Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Even though other programs also offered me scholarships, there was just something different about WestConn. I felt very secure in my choice to come here, and I would encourage anyone to consider this option. WestConn is the most friendly and welcoming place I looked at, and is so different from typical conservatory settings. Here, there is camaraderie and everyone lifts each other up. None of the other schools I considered could have offered a dual major experience this way, and I could not be more grateful for how the university supported me and made it work in my schedule.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/31\\\/music-performance-and-legal-studies-major-hannah-alexander-receives-barnard-award\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600-768x461.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg\",\"index\":0,\"id\":1719,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Even though other programs also offered me scholarships, there was just something different about WestConn. I felt very secure in my choice to come here, and I would encourage anyone to consider this option. WestConn is the most friendly and welcoming place I looked at, and is so different from typical conservatory settings. Here, there is camaraderie and everyone lifts each other up. None of the other schools I considered could have offered a dual major experience this way, and I could not be more grateful for how the university supported me and made it work in my schedule.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/31\\\/music-performance-and-legal-studies-major-hannah-alexander-receives-barnard-award\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg\",\"title\":\"Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I am driven to support and uplift those around me as I understand how powerful it is to feel seen, supported, and capable. Education has given me structure and confidence, but it has also given me perspective &mdash; the awareness that my accomplishments rest upon a foundation built by others&rsquo; sacrifice. I am filled with gratitude, especially for my father who believed in me and my education even when life required him to carry more than most. To get the Barnard Award is not just recognition for the work I&rsquo;ve put in, but his too.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/31\\\/financial-management-and-psychology-major-gianna-fanelli-receives-barnard-award\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600-768x461.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg\",\"index\":1,\"id\":1718,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I am driven to support and uplift those around me as I understand how powerful it is to feel seen, supported, and capable. Education has given me structure and confidence, but it has also given me perspective &mdash; the awareness that my accomplishments rest upon a foundation built by others&rsquo; sacrifice. I am filled with gratitude, especially for my father who believed in me and my education even when life required him to carry more than most. To get the Barnard Award is not just recognition for the work I&rsquo;ve put in, but his too.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/31\\\/financial-management-and-psychology-major-gianna-fanelli-receives-barnard-award\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg\",\"title\":\"2026 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients excelled while engaged in dual degree pursuits\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg\",\"alt\":\"2026 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients excelled while engaged in dual degree pursuits\",\"caption\":\"Fanelli said, &ldquo;The Financial Management and Psychology disciplines challenge me in different, yet complimentary ways. Together, they gave me both structure and perspective. It has clarified the kind of professional I aspire to become &mdash; someone who understands the financial frameworks that drive organizations, and the human dynamics that sustain them.&rdquo;\\n\\nAlexander said, &ldquo;While I know music is and will always be a huge part of my life, I am ready to explore additional avenues and begin to branch out from my musical cocoon. After graduating, I hope to go to an Ivy League Law School. I&rsquo;m interested in commercial law and its ties to the music community in areas like intellectual property and copyright law.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/31\\\/2026-henry-barnard-distinguished-student-award-recipients-excelled-while-engaged-in-dual-degree-pursuits\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600-768x461.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg\",\"index\":2,\"id\":1709,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"Fanelli said, &ldquo;The Financial Management and Psychology disciplines challenge me in different, yet complimentary ways. 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Words can do a lot for people. It can make you feel seen, make you feel something you haven&rsquo;t felt before, put words to thoughts and feelings you had, spread ideas, and make you feel alive or dead.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/04\\\/wcsu-student-dan-sousa-silva-selected-for-connecticut-poetry-circuit\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":\"WCSU\",\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-2048x1365.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-scaled.jpg\",\"index\":3,\"id\":1703,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Poetry is important because it&rsquo;s words and words hold a lot of power. Words can do a lot for people. It can make you feel seen, make you feel something you haven&rsquo;t felt before, put words to thoughts and feelings you had, spread ideas, and make you feel alive or dead.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/04\\\/wcsu-student-dan-sousa-silva-selected-for-connecticut-poetry-circuit\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"WestConn student Daniel Sousa Silva selected for Connecticut Poetry Circuit\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\",\"title\":\"Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his &lsquo;show on the road&rsquo; to share his love of theatre with his students\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his &lsquo;show on the road&rsquo; to share his love of theatre with his students\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;... since most of our students are focusing on performance, while I come to the field from the literary\\\/history\\\/criticism angle, I think it&rsquo;s important for them to understand that there are other ways to appreciate the art &mdash; to find more to excite them and inform their understanding and work.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/25\\\/dr-donald-gagnon-takes-his-show-on-the-road-to-share-his-love-of-theatre-with-his-students\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600-198x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600-395x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\",\"index\":4,\"id\":1674,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;... since most of our students are focusing on performance, while I come to the field from the literary\\\/history\\\/criticism angle, I think it&rsquo;s important for them to understand that there are other ways to appreciate the art &mdash; to find more to excite them and inform their understanding and work.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/25\\\/dr-donald-gagnon-takes-his-show-on-the-road-to-share-his-love-of-theatre-with-his-students\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/Don-Gagnon_395x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his &lsquo;show on the road&rsquo; to share his love of theatre with his students\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated.jpg\",\"title\":\"New science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated.jpg\",\"alt\":\"New WCSU science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation\",\"caption\":\" &ldquo;I have dreamed of contributing to the development of a forensic science major and\\\/or minor here at WCSU because many of my students over the years have indicated their interest in such a major and there is a shortage of forensic scientists in the State of Connecticut; this course would perfectly support this endeavor.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/20\\\/new-wcsu-science-class-turns-the-chemistry-lab-into-a-crime-scene-investigation\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1770047046\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-200x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-768x1152.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-683x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated.jpg\",\"index\":5,\"id\":1672,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\" &ldquo;I have dreamed of contributing to the development of a forensic science major and\\\/or minor here at WCSU because many of my students over the years have indicated their interest in such a major and there is a shortage of forensic scientists in the State of Connecticut; this course would perfectly support this endeavor.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/20\\\/new-wcsu-science-class-turns-the-chemistry-lab-into-a-crime-scene-investigation\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"New science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"title\":\"First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"alt\":\"First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Take advantage of all the opportunities at WestConn like the HSLP. It can be scary or nerve wracking to put yourself out there, but taking the leap of faith and taking a chance can help students gain more opportunities such as this one. There are so many staff members and peers that are supportive and willing to be the helping hand.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/12\\\/first-generation-westconn-student-elisa-cardona-has-a-lot-to-celebrate-this-holiday-season\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1760538134\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"index\":6,\"id\":1648,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Take advantage of all the opportunities at WestConn like the HSLP. It can be scary or nerve wracking to put yourself out there, but taking the leap of faith and taking a chance can help students gain more opportunities such as this one. There are so many staff members and peers that are supportive and willing to be the helping hand.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/12\\\/first-generation-westconn-student-elisa-cardona-has-a-lot-to-celebrate-this-holiday-season\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped.jpg\",\"title\":\"You can&rsquo;t argue with the success of WestConn&rsquo;s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association&rsquo;s National Championship Tournament\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped.jpg\",\"alt\":\"You can&rsquo;t argue with the success of WestConn&rsquo;s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association&rsquo;s National Championship Tournament\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WestConn&rsquo;s &#39;superpower&#39; is its culture. The students we have, the time and emotional commitment that they put into this, makes it an honor to spend time with them, and it&rsquo;s not surprising that this was WestConn Moot Court&rsquo;s most successful year.&rdquo;\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/05\\\/you-cant-argue-with-the-success-of-westconns-first-all-female-moot-court-team-to-qualify-for-the-american-moot-court-associations-national-championship-tournament\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-300x220.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-768x564.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-1024x752.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped.jpg\",\"index\":7,\"id\":1641,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WestConn&rsquo;s &#39;superpower&#39; is its culture. The students we have, the time and emotional commitment that they put into this, makes it an honor to spend time with them, and it&rsquo;s not surprising that this was WestConn Moot Court&rsquo;s most successful year.&rdquo;\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/05\\\/you-cant-argue-with-the-success-of-westconns-first-all-female-moot-court-team-to-qualify-for-the-american-moot-court-associations-national-championship-tournament\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"You can&rsquo;t argue with the success of WestConn&rsquo;s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association&rsquo;s National Championship Tournament\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin.jpg\",\"title\":\"Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;STEM education is the priority. Because of my work, I&rsquo;m considered an expert in applying natural history collections in the classroom. This ties in with my National Science Foundation grant and sea turtle research. I plan to continue to look at interspecies relationships with the help of grants and funding that the university has obtained to support my work.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/02\\\/never-one-to-sit-still-dr-theodora-pinou-has-been-globe-trotting-with-the-goal-to-document-biodiversity-and-instill-a-love-of-stem-in-students\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-768x1024.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-768x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-1152x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin.jpg\",\"index\":8,\"id\":1628,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;STEM education is the priority. Because of my work, I&rsquo;m considered an expert in applying natural history collections in the classroom. This ties in with my National Science Foundation grant and sea turtle research. I plan to continue to look at interspecies relationships with the help of grants and funding that the university has obtained to support my work.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/02\\\/never-one-to-sit-still-dr-theodora-pinou-has-been-globe-trotting-with-the-goal-to-document-biodiversity-and-instill-a-love-of-stem-in-students\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-scaled.jpg\",\"title\":\"A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see &rsquo;90s politics from both perspectives\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see &rsquo;90s politics from both perspectives\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I think my classmates appreciate what we&rsquo;re both bringing to the class, and how we present it to them. I feel that political science is like a puzzle and I&rsquo;ve been able to piece the puzzle together; and now I&rsquo;m trying to help my fellow students understand how to do it, too, in order to comprehend what&rsquo;s happening right now. It&rsquo;s amazing as an undergraduate to have an opportunity to work so closely with a university professor like this. Not only has it been really fun and rewarding, but I&rsquo;m not sure I would have had this kind of opportunity anywhere else.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/19\\\/a-collaboration-between-poli-sci-professor-and-student-allows-classmates-to-see-90s-politics-from-both-perspectives\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"3.2\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"NIKON D850\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1763554968\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"46\",\"iso\":\"100\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.025\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-253x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-768x910.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-864x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-1296x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-1728x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-scaled.jpg\",\"index\":9,\"id\":1613,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I think my classmates appreciate what we&rsquo;re both bringing to the class, and how we present it to them. I feel that political science is like a puzzle and I&rsquo;ve been able to piece the puzzle together; and now I&rsquo;m trying to help my fellow students understand how to do it, too, in order to comprehend what&rsquo;s happening right now. It&rsquo;s amazing as an undergraduate to have an opportunity to work so closely with a university professor like this. Not only has it been really fun and rewarding, but I&rsquo;m not sure I would have had this kind of opportunity anywhere else.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/19\\\/a-collaboration-between-poli-sci-professor-and-student-allows-classmates-to-see-90s-politics-from-both-perspectives\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see &rsquo;90s politics from both perspectives\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg\",\"title\":\"Criminologist Casey Jordan&rsquo;s new true crime podcast launches\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Criminologist Casey Jordan&rsquo;s new true crime podcast launches\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;&hellip; the difference between &lsquo;Criminal Appeal&rsquo; and other true-crime podcasts is that Dr. Jordan features cases that she knows firsthand because she worked them in real-time. The show confronts tough questions about the justice system, media influence, and the gray areas of morality that surround every accused offender and determine every verdict.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/05\\\/criminologist-casey-jordans-new-true-crime-podcast-launches\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized-300x290.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized-768x741.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg\",\"index\":10,\"id\":1596,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;&hellip; the difference between &lsquo;Criminal Appeal&rsquo; and other true-crime podcasts is that Dr. Jordan features cases that she knows firsthand because she worked them in real-time. The show confronts tough questions about the justice system, media influence, and the gray areas of morality that surround every accused offender and determine every verdict.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/05\\\/criminologist-casey-jordans-new-true-crime-podcast-launches\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Criminologist Casey Jordan&rsquo;s new true crime podcast launches\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Autonomy and agency were important to me. WCSU provided the flexibility to own my schedule and provided me with the tools to figure out how I could make learning work on my time. I&rsquo;m not sure I would have had that level of autonomy anywhere else.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/04\\\/alumna-natasha-valani-leveraged-her-knowledge-of-marketing-and-curiosity-about-career-options-to-become-the-chief-people-officer-at-tubi\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_-300x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\",\"index\":11,\"id\":1588,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Autonomy and agency were important to me. WCSU provided the flexibility to own my schedule and provided me with the tools to figure out how I could make learning work on my time. I&rsquo;m not sure I would have had that level of autonomy anywhere else.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/04\\\/alumna-natasha-valani-leveraged-her-knowledge-of-marketing-and-curiosity-about-career-options-to-become-the-chief-people-officer-at-tubi\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers.jpg\",\"title\":\"MIS Professor Emilio Collar&rsquo;s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student club\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers.jpg\",\"alt\":\"MIS Professor Emilio Collar&rsquo;s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student club\",\"caption\":\"As a result, the university&rsquo;s Vintage Computer Association was created as an official student club with Collar as its adviser, and plans are underway for a physical space to be formally created for the lab. &ldquo;The administration has been very responsive to the students&rsquo; requests. We are going to revitalize a former computer science lab in the Westside Classroom Building to create a permanent vintage computer lab.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/11\\\/04\\\/mis-professor-emilio-collars-hobby-inspires-a-new-lab-space-a-new-course-and-a-growing-student-club\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1761051576\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers.jpg\",\"index\":12,\"id\":1585,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"As a result, the university&rsquo;s Vintage Computer Association was created as an official student club with Collar as its adviser, and plans are underway for a physical space to be formally created for the lab. &ldquo;The administration has been very responsive to the students&rsquo; requests. 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Science is evolving. Now we have computer models and the art is in choosing which model to use for your forecast situation. It used to be more hands on before computers. Being on campus is a little surreal. I don&rsquo;t feel 72, I feel like a young student, but my body says otherwise.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/28\\\/at-wcsu-air-force-veteran-neal-macmillen-has-found-its-never-too-late-to-follow-your-dreams-especially-with-a-little-help-from-your-friends\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea-300x213.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea-768x545.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea-926x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg\",\"index\":13,\"id\":1553,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I do enjoy attending class, seeing what&rsquo;s changed and what&rsquo;s new. Science is evolving. Now we have computer models and the art is in choosing which model to use for your forecast situation. It used to be more hands on before computers. Being on campus is a little surreal. I don&rsquo;t feel 72, I feel like a young student, but my body says otherwise.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/28\\\/at-wcsu-air-force-veteran-neal-macmillen-has-found-its-never-too-late-to-follow-your-dreams-especially-with-a-little-help-from-your-friends\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"At WCSU, Air Force Veteran Neal Macmillen has found it&rsquo;s never too late to follow your dreams\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\",\"title\":\"At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his &lsquo;pitch&rsquo;\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\",\"alt\":\"At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his &lsquo;pitch&rsquo;\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Getting my degree at WestConn helped me get to where I am today. The courses offered, coupled with the business community around the school, gave me options that other universities could not, and I look back on my college experience with gratitude for giving me the tools and guidance to succeed.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/at-wcsu-connor-nolan-perfected-his-pitch\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait-75x50_c.png\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait-150x150.png\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait-199x300.png\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait-541x198.png\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait-272x182.png\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\",\"index\":14,\"id\":1530,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Getting my degree at WestConn helped me get to where I am today. The courses offered, coupled with the business community around the school, gave me options that other universities could not, and I look back on my college experience with gratitude for giving me the tools and guidance to succeed.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/at-wcsu-connor-nolan-perfected-his-pitch\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait-75x50_c.png\",\"title\":\"At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his &lsquo;pitch&rsquo;\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait.jpg\",\"title\":\"Terry Dwyer&rsquo;s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Terry Dwyer&rsquo;s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;We&rsquo;re here to teach both the theoretical and the practical, and students come from different backgrounds and have different interests, so when they realize professors are multi-faceted human beings, it&rsquo;s easier to make a connection and for them to see that they&rsquo;re not limited in their aspirations. I am always happy to give advice to my students, and the bottom line is that I care, and I want all of them to be successful.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/08\\\/terry-dwyers-career-experiences-come-into-play-in-the-classroom-and-beyond\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-284x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-768x811.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-970x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait.jpg\",\"index\":15,\"id\":1503,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;We&rsquo;re here to teach both the theoretical and the practical, and students come from different backgrounds and have different interests, so when they realize professors are multi-faceted human beings, it&rsquo;s easier to make a connection and for them to see that they&rsquo;re not limited in their aspirations. I am always happy to give advice to my students, and the bottom line is that I care, and I want all of them to be successful.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/08\\\/terry-dwyers-career-experiences-come-into-play-in-the-classroom-and-beyond\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Terry Dwyer&rsquo;s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5.jpg\",\"title\":\"Collin Testa&rsquo;s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Collin Testa&rsquo;s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;If you do a study-abroad program, look into all available resources, scholarships, etc. Put yourself out there. Introduce yourself to everything. You never know who you will meet, what memories you will make, what opportunities may come from meeting another person. Go and live each day to the fullest.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/03\\\/collin-testas-study-abroad-experience-amps-up-his-desire-to-teach-english-in-japan\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"7.1\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"NIKON Z 7_2\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1749189452\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"42\",\"iso\":\"100\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.005\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5.jpg\",\"index\":16,\"id\":1487,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;If you do a study-abroad program, look into all available resources, scholarships, etc. Put yourself out there. Introduce yourself to everything. You never know who you will meet, what memories you will make, what opportunities may come from meeting another person. Go and live each day to the fullest.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/03\\\/collin-testas-study-abroad-experience-amps-up-his-desire-to-teach-english-in-japan\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Collin-Testa5-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Collin Testa&rsquo;s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"title\":\"Elizabeth Melita overcame her own obstacles and turned them into a way to help others\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Elizabeth Melita overcame her own obstacles and turned them into a way to help others\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WCSU was really the only choice for me for my bachelor&rsquo;s. It&rsquo;s one of the top programs out there. A lot of WCSU&rsquo;s Nursing professors have real-world nursing experience and provide that knowledge to the students. Everyone I encountered was amazing, and the WCSU Nursing Department is a family. I&rsquo;m still friends with so many of them, which is incredibly helpful in my current job because I need resources and referral sources. WCSU gave me the opportunity to build a network.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/03\\\/elizabeth-melita-overcame-her-own-obstacles-and-turned-them-into-a-way-to-help-others\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1758637442\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized-300x274.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized-768x701.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"index\":17,\"id\":1486,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WCSU was really the only choice for me for my bachelor&rsquo;s. It&rsquo;s one of the top programs out there. A lot of WCSU&rsquo;s Nursing professors have real-world nursing experience and provide that knowledge to the students. Everyone I encountered was amazing, and the WCSU Nursing Department is a family. I&rsquo;m still friends with so many of them, which is incredibly helpful in my current job because I need resources and referral sources. 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Travel, explore new cultures, build your network, and embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. What makes you different is your strength, so lean into it and let it carry you forward.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/09\\\/02\\\/alumna-nikita-karim-has-propelled-her-curiosity-about-technology-into-a-stellar-computing-career-that-supports-women-in-stem\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-150x150.jpeg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-225x300.jpeg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-768x1024.jpeg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-768x1024.jpeg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-1152x1536.jpeg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference.jpeg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-940x198.jpeg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-272x182.jpeg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference.jpeg\",\"index\":18,\"id\":1470,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I encourage others to strive for greater opportunities: pursue higher education, set the example you want to see in the world, take space, and never hesitate to walk into rooms where you may be the only one who looks like you. Travel, explore new cultures, build your network, and embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. What makes you different is your strength, so lean into it and let it carry you forward.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/09\\\/02\\\/alumna-nikita-karim-has-propelled-her-curiosity-about-technology-into-a-stellar-computing-career-that-supports-women-in-stem\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/awsConference-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Nikita Karim propelled her curiosity about technology into a stellar computing career that supports women in STEM\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333.jpg\",\"title\":\"Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio &amp;amp; Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio &amp;amp; Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The thing I enjoyed most about attending WCSU was all the people I met and friends I made throughout my four years. As a music major, not only is it very important to start building your network as early as you can, but it&rsquo;s also just really special to meet other people who are interested in the same thing as you and genuinely want to work on their craft.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/29\\\/unexpected-text-informs-wcsu-audio-music-production-alumna-rosemary-minkler-of-her-emmy-award-win\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1756168841\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-768x1024.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-768x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333.jpg\",\"index\":19,\"id\":1469,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The thing I enjoyed most about attending WCSU was all the people I met and friends I made throughout my four years. As a music major, not only is it very important to start building your network as early as you can, but it&rsquo;s also just really special to meet other people who are interested in the same thing as you and genuinely want to work on their craft.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/29\\\/unexpected-text-informs-wcsu-audio-music-production-alumna-rosemary-minkler-of-her-emmy-award-win\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio &amp;amp; Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"title\":\"&lsquo;Gridiron Scholar&rsquo; John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"alt\":\"&lsquo;Gridiron Scholar&rsquo; John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I joined the student newspaper, The Echo, for three or four years. I had the opportunity to write about the university&rsquo;s sports teams and ultimately during my senior year, I became the sports editor. I also was able to broadcast basketball games as an analyst on WXCI, the campus radio station. These activities strengthened my writing ability and provided an outlet for my love of sports.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/06\\\/gridiron-scholar-john-laub-has-capitalized-on-the-skills-he-acquired-on-campus-to-excel-at-both-his-hobby-and-his-career\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized-196x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized-327x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"index\":20,\"id\":1443,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I joined the student newspaper, The Echo, for three or four years. I had the opportunity to write about the university&rsquo;s sports teams and ultimately during my senior year, I became the sports editor. I also was able to broadcast basketball games as an analyst on WXCI, the campus radio station. These activities strengthened my writing ability and provided an outlet for my love of sports.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/06\\\/gridiron-scholar-john-laub-has-capitalized-on-the-skills-he-acquired-on-campus-to-excel-at-both-his-hobby-and-his-career\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/John-Laub-portrait_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"&lsquo;Gridiron Scholar&rsquo; John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari.jpg\",\"title\":\"CMEA&rsquo;s Music Educator of the Year Dan O&rsquo;Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari.jpg\",\"alt\":\"CMEA&rsquo;s Music Educator of the Year Dan O&rsquo;Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I&rsquo;m definitely grateful for my time at WCSU. It was a very special place to have spent my formative years while aspiring to play unique music, and it&rsquo;s served me well. ... My time at WCSU allowed me to cultivate a sense of pioneerism and has enabled me to try to make the world better by encouraging creativity in music education.&rdquo;\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/04\\\/cmeas-music-educator-of-the-year-dan-obrien-has-always-had-a-plan-and-the-plan-has-been-to-improvise\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari-240x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari-768x960.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari-819x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari.jpg\",\"index\":21,\"id\":1442,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I&rsquo;m definitely grateful for my time at WCSU. It was a very special place to have spent my formative years while aspiring to play unique music, and it&rsquo;s served me well. ... My time at WCSU allowed me to cultivate a sense of pioneerism and has enabled me to try to make the world better by encouraging creativity in music education.&rdquo;\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/04\\\/cmeas-music-educator-of-the-year-dan-obrien-has-always-had-a-plan-and-the-plan-has-been-to-improvise\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/gig-photo-bari-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"CMEA&rsquo;s Music Educator of the Year Dan O&rsquo;Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"title\":\"The third time&rsquo;s the charm for Stratford&rsquo;s 2006 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"alt\":\"The third time&rsquo;s the charm for Stratford&rsquo;s 2006 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;So many studies demonstrate the value of the arts to keep us healthy and well, and in my own life, opera has helped me heal from a difficult situation. You have to always reinvent yourself every so often so you can grow. I try to impress this upon my students in the same way that my WCSU professors, Dr. Astrup and Dr. Isaacs, helped shape me. WCSU is home to me, and I had so many good experiences there.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/04\\\/the-third-times-the-charm-for-stratfords-2006-teacher-of-the-year-september-baraquin\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1747389527\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-768x1024.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-768x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"index\":22,\"id\":1428,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;So many studies demonstrate the value of the arts to keep us healthy and well, and in my own life, opera has helped me heal from a difficult situation. 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You can&rsquo;t throw a stone in Connecticut without hitting a WCSU music alum. I&rsquo;m a huge proponent, and I definitely had really good experiences there.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/03\\\/at-several-points-in-his-28-year-career-monroes-teacher-of-the-year-michael-ances-has-found-smooth-sailing-when-collaborating-with-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mike-Ances-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"At several points in his 28-year career, Monroe&rsquo;s Teacher of the Year Michael Ances has found smooth sailing when collaborating with WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped.jpg\",\"title\":\"Brian Betesh, Danbury&rsquo;s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing &ldquo;full circle&rdquo; moments\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Brian Betesh, Danbury&rsquo;s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing &ldquo;full circle&rdquo; moments\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;It&rsquo;s cool that I started my education here in Danbury and came full circle to get my second master&rsquo;s degree at WCSU. It was great to be on campus and explore something right in my backyard. I hope to bring my students to check it out next.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/02\\\/brian-betesh-danburys-2025-teacher-of-the-year-finds-life-has-a-funny-way-of-providing-full-circle-moments\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1744366074\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-768x461.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-1024x615.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-1536x922.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped.jpg\",\"index\":24,\"id\":1397,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;It&rsquo;s cool that I started my education here in Danbury and came full circle to get my second master&rsquo;s degree at WCSU. It was great to be on campus and explore something right in my backyard. I hope to bring my students to check it out next.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/02\\\/brian-betesh-danburys-2025-teacher-of-the-year-finds-life-has-a-funny-way-of-providing-full-circle-moments\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Brian Betesh, Danbury&rsquo;s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing &ldquo;full circle&rdquo; moments\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait.jpg\",\"title\":\"Sophia Chiaia found her calling in high school and capitalized on it at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Sophia Chiaia found her calling in high school and capitalized on it at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WCSU&rsquo;s Biology Department is amazing. Dr. Connally is my adviser and she and the rest of the faculty are so empowering and passionate. You&rsquo;re going to learn so much and be exposed to some incredible professors. In literally every class, you will learn something interesting that will stay with you. I would highly recommend it.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/27\\\/sophia-chiaia-found-her-calling-in-high-school-and-capitalized-on-it-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait-800x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait.jpg\",\"index\":25,\"id\":1382,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WCSU&rsquo;s Biology Department is amazing. Dr. Connally is my adviser and she and the rest of the faculty are so empowering and passionate. You&rsquo;re going to learn so much and be exposed to some incredible professors. In literally every class, you will learn something interesting that will stay with you. I would highly recommend it.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/27\\\/sophia-chiaia-found-her-calling-in-high-school-and-capitalized-on-it-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sophia-Chiaia-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Sophia Chiaia found her calling in high school and capitalized on it at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600.jpg\",\"title\":\"Paying it forward: Professor of Music Dr. Kevin Jay Isaacs has found a way to nurture his students that will continue long after his retirement\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Paying it forward: Professor of Music Dr. Kevin Jay Isaacs has found a way to nurture his students that will continue long after his retirement\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I taught here for a long time. I&rsquo;m glad I can help give our students this foundation.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/14\\\/professor-of-music-dr-kevin-jay-isaacs-has-found-a-way-to-nurture-his-students-that-will-continue-long-after-his-retirement-by-paying-it-forward\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600-768x461.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600.jpg\",\"index\":26,\"id\":1381,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I taught here for a long time. I&rsquo;m glad I can help give our students this foundation.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/14\\\/professor-of-music-dr-kevin-jay-isaacs-has-found-a-way-to-nurture-his-students-that-will-continue-long-after-his-retirement-by-paying-it-forward\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Isaacs-with-Mace_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Paying it forward: Professor of Music Dr. Kevin Jay Isaacs has found a way to nurture his students that will continue long after his retirement\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"title\":\"Victoria Muscatello&rsquo;s accomplished collegiate journey was inspired by watching &lsquo;Criminal Minds&rsquo;\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Victoria Muscatello&rsquo;s accomplished collegiate journey was inspired by watching &lsquo;Criminal Minds&rsquo;\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I&rsquo;ve met great staff, professors and fellow students. Everyone here has open arms and wants to help you. The fact that many of us in the Psychology program end up at really great graduate schools also shows that we&rsquo;re getting a good education at WestConn.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/07\\\/victoria-muscatellos-accomplished-college-journey-was-inspired-by-watching-criminal-minds\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1746012523\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667.jpg\",\"index\":27,\"id\":1352,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I&rsquo;ve met great staff, professors and fellow students. Everyone here has open arms and wants to help you. The fact that many of us in the Psychology program end up at really great graduate schools also shows that we&rsquo;re getting a good education at WestConn.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/07\\\/victoria-muscatellos-accomplished-college-journey-was-inspired-by-watching-criminal-minds\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Muscatello-portrait_1000x667-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Victoria Muscatello&rsquo;s accomplished collegiate journey was inspired by watching &lsquo;Criminal Minds&rsquo;\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300.png\",\"title\":\"By not taking &lsquo;no&rsquo; for an answer, Donovan Shaw has learned there is more than one way to succeed &mdash; and to lead\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300.png\",\"alt\":\"By not taking &lsquo;no&rsquo; for an answer, Donovan Shaw has learned there is more than one way to succeed &mdash; and to lead\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;There are huge possibilities at WestConn. Coming to campus not as a B.F.A. major like I had hoped and during the pandemic, I wasn&rsquo;t sure what I was doing. But there are so many opportunities if you&rsquo;re hungry enough and ask questions, because the faculty will help you find your way.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/01\\\/by-not-taking-no-for-an-answer-donovan-shaw-has-learned-there-is-more-than-one-way-to-succeed-and-to-lead\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-75x50_c.png\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-150x150.png\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-277x300.png\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-768x833.png\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-944x1024.png\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-1416x1536.png\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-1888x2048.png\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-940x198.png\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-272x182.png\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300.png\",\"index\":28,\"id\":1345,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;There are huge possibilities at WestConn. Coming to campus not as a B.F.A. major like I had hoped and during the pandemic, I wasn&rsquo;t sure what I was doing. But there are so many opportunities if you&rsquo;re hungry enough and ask questions, because the faculty will help you find your way.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/01\\\/by-not-taking-no-for-an-answer-donovan-shaw-has-learned-there-is-more-than-one-way-to-succeed-and-to-lead\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Donovan-Shaw-portrait_500x300-75x50_c.png\",\"title\":\"By not taking &lsquo;no&rsquo; for an answer, Donovan Shaw has learned there is more than one way to succeed &mdash; and to lead\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"title\":\"For Sara Risko, several re-starts have shown that she&rsquo;s unstoppable\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"alt\":\"For Sara Risko, several re-starts have shown that she&rsquo;s unstoppable\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The Oxford Consortium is extremely competitive for students to attend. There are a lot of interdisciplinary students, graduate students and law students there and they have a passion for advocacy and human rights. I met a lot of very cool people and it made me very hopeful. I&rsquo;m grateful for the funding from the Provost&rsquo;s Office that helped make this trip a reality.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/22\\\/for-sara-risko-several-re-starts-have-shown-that-shes-unstoppable\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1744295947\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-2048x1365.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"index\":29,\"id\":1327,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The Oxford Consortium is extremely competitive for students to attend. There are a lot of interdisciplinary students, graduate students and law students there and they have a passion for advocacy and human rights. I met a lot of very cool people and it made me very hopeful. I&rsquo;m grateful for the funding from the Provost&rsquo;s Office that helped make this trip a reality.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/22\\\/for-sara-risko-several-re-starts-have-shown-that-shes-unstoppable\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Risko-portrait_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"For Sara Risko, several re-starts have shown that she&rsquo;s unstoppable\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized.jpg\",\"title\":\"Perseverance pays off for recent Criminology graduate Megan Dingee\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Perseverance pays off for recent Criminology graduate Megan Dingee, who&rsquo;s already on her way to a master&rsquo;s degree in Homeland Security\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WestConn has been a home away from home. I spent many hours on campus and I always felt safe and welcome there. Every person I met was always kind, generous, focused and hardworking. It&rsquo;s a place where people can be themselves, or discover a new self. WCSU helped me find a new version of myself, giving me hope for future me.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/22\\\/perseverance-pays-off-for-recent-criminology-graduate-megan-dingee-whos-already-on-her-way-to-a-masters-degree-in-homeland-security\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1745229691\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-2048x1365.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized.jpg\",\"index\":30,\"id\":1321,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WestConn has been a home away from home. I spent many hours on campus and I always felt safe and welcome there. Every person I met was always kind, generous, focused and hardworking. It&rsquo;s a place where people can be themselves, or discover a new self. WCSU helped me find a new version of myself, giving me hope for future me.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/22\\\/perseverance-pays-off-for-recent-criminology-graduate-megan-dingee-whos-already-on-her-way-to-a-masters-degree-in-homeland-security\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Megan-Dingee_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Perseverance pays off for recent Criminology graduate Megan Dingee\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped.jpg\",\"title\":\"Psychology student Kylie Moody found out at WestConn, you CAN get there from here\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Psychology student Kylie Moody found out at WestConn, you CAN get there from here\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;What makes WCSU so special is that everyone I have met are all such incredibly hard workers. We take every opportunity to do more and take such pride in our work that it makes this a special place.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/11\\\/psychology-student-kylie-moody-found-out-at-westconn-you-can-get-there-from-here\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1726243970\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped-200x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped-667x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped.jpg\",\"index\":31,\"id\":1312,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;What makes WCSU so special is that everyone I have met are all such incredibly hard workers. We take every opportunity to do more and take such pride in our work that it makes this a special place.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/11\\\/psychology-student-kylie-moody-found-out-at-westconn-you-can-get-there-from-here\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylie-Moody_3_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Psychology student Kylie Moody found out at WestConn, you CAN get there from here\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"title\":\"Diana Felix Rebelo overcame numerous obstacles on the way to becoming an acclaimed student-athlete in WestConn&rsquo;s challenging Nursing program as well as a 2025 Henry F. 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Every time I felt like giving up, they were there pushing me, reminding me of my capabilities.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/08\\\/diana-felix-rebelo-overcame-numerous-obstacles-on-the-way-to-becoming-an-acclaimed-student-athlete-in-westconns-challenging-nursing-program-as-well-as-a-2025-henry-f-barnard-distinguished-s\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1744021775\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"index\":32,\"id\":1300,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;As I receive my diploma, my name in bold letters: &lsquo;Diana Felix Rebelo&rsquo;. This diploma is not only for me, but also for my parents. I represent my mom with Felix and my father with Rebelo; they, too, earned this degree as much as I did. I am beyond grateful for everyone who supported me along the journey to get here. My parents, who gave up everything they knew in hopes for something better for their family. Every time I felt like giving up, they were there pushing me, reminding me of my capabilities.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/08\\\/diana-felix-rebelo-overcame-numerous-obstacles-on-the-way-to-becoming-an-acclaimed-student-athlete-in-westconns-challenging-nursing-program-as-well-as-a-2025-henry-f-barnard-distinguished-s\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Diana-Rebelo-portrait_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Diana Felix Rebelo overcame numerous obstacles on the way to becoming an acclaimed student-athlete in WestConn&rsquo;s challenging Nursing program as well as a 2025 Henry F. Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipient\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"title\":\"Dedication and abundant research opportunities have propelled Psychology major Sara Azzi to the top of her chosen field and have earned her the Henry F. Barnard Distinguished Student Award\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Dedication and abundant research opportunities have propelled Psychology major Sara Azzi to the top of her chosen field and have earned her the Henry F. Barnard Distinguished Student Award\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The Psychology faculty at WestConn are the most supportive people I know in terms of personal and career development, and I would not be as successful as I am without them. ... I&rsquo;m also really grateful for all the opportunities WestConn provided &mdash; from working at the Career Success Center to the clubs I have been involved in, to the research opportunities &mdash; all with no loans and zero debt.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/28\\\/dedication-and-abundant-research-opportunities-have-propelled-psychology-major-sara-azzi-to-the-top-of-her-chosen-field\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1743600080\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600-300x182.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600-768x467.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600.jpg\",\"index\":33,\"id\":1299,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The Psychology faculty at WestConn are the most supportive people I know in terms of personal and career development, and I would not be as successful as I am without them. ... I&rsquo;m also really grateful for all the opportunities WestConn provided &mdash; from working at the Career Success Center to the clubs I have been involved in, to the research opportunities &mdash; all with no loans and zero debt.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/28\\\/dedication-and-abundant-research-opportunities-have-propelled-psychology-major-sara-azzi-to-the-top-of-her-chosen-field\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Azzi-Barnard-Award-portrait_1000x600-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Dedication and abundant research opportunities have propelled Psychology major Sara Azzi to the top of her chosen field and have earned her the Henry F. Barnard Distinguished Student Award\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alexander Rodriguez may have followed in his family&rsquo;s footsteps to come to WestConn, but once he arrived, he led the way\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Alexander Rodriguez may have followed in his family&rsquo;s footsteps to come to WestConn, but once he arrived, he led the way\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Despite my successes, my journey has not been without struggles. However, I have embraced each challenge as an opportunity to grow. Now, as I near the completion of my degree &mdash; the last in my family to do so &mdash; I carry with me the lessons of resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief that we can shape our own destinies. I look forward to staying connected and continuing to create meaningful change at WestConn.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/18\\\/alexander-rodriguez-may-have-followed-in-his-familys-footsteps-to-come-to-westconn-but-once-he-arrived-he-led-the-way\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1741180954\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized.jpg\",\"index\":34,\"id\":1270,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Despite my successes, my journey has not been without struggles. However, I have embraced each challenge as an opportunity to grow. Now, as I near the completion of my degree &mdash; the last in my family to do so &mdash; I carry with me the lessons of resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief that we can shape our own destinies. I look forward to staying connected and continuing to create meaningful change at WestConn.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/18\\\/alexander-rodriguez-may-have-followed-in-his-familys-footsteps-to-come-to-westconn-but-once-he-arrived-he-led-the-way\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alexander-Rodriguez_portrait_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alexander Rodriguez may have followed in his family&rsquo;s footsteps to come to WestConn, but once he arrived, he led the way\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize.jpg\",\"title\":\"Christopher Bisignano Jr.&rsquo;s hands-on approach to his Cybersecurity degree will set him up for the tech career he envisions\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Christopher Bisignano Jr.&rsquo;s hands-on approach to his Cybersecurity degree will set him up for the tech career he envisions\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;From my professors Stephen Cunningham, who taught us so much about how to hack and defend, to Ken Lynch, who taught me everything I needed to know about digital forensics, to Dr. Tom Yoon, with his knowledge of virtual networks &mdash; they have been the most amazing people along my journey.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/21\\\/christopher-bisignano-jr-s-hands-on-approach-to-his-cybersecurity-degree-will-set-him-up-for-the-tech-career-he-envisions\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1692099203\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize.jpg\",\"index\":35,\"id\":1269,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;From my professors Stephen Cunningham, who taught us so much about how to hack and defend, to Ken Lynch, who taught me everything I needed to know about digital forensics, to Dr. Tom Yoon, with his knowledge of virtual networks &mdash; they have been the most amazing people along my journey.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/21\\\/christopher-bisignano-jr-s-hands-on-approach-to-his-cybersecurity-degree-will-set-him-up-for-the-tech-career-he-envisions\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Christopher-Bisignano-portrait_resize-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Christopher Bisignano Jr.&rsquo;s hands-on approach to his Cybersecurity degree will set him up for the tech career he envisions\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown.jpg\",\"title\":\"Academics and football are a winning combination for Florida native Parker Brown\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Academics and football are a winning combination for Florida native Parker Brown\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I think Meteorology is extremely interesting and unique, and the classes here are very personal, which is extremely helpful to me. Professor Eisenson has had a very big positive impact on me; he is my favorite teacher\\\/professor I have had thus far as he cares greatly about his students&rsquo; education.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/14\\\/academics-and-football-are-a-winning-combination-for-florida-native-parker-brown\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown-200x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown-300x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Parker-Brown.jpg\",\"index\":36,\"id\":1258,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I think Meteorology is extremely interesting and unique, and the classes here are very personal, which is extremely helpful to me. 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As someone who did not take a typical route of college after high school, coming back and finishing a master&rsquo;s degree at 30 has proven to be possible and successful. After completing my board exam, I will become a behavior analyst, which opens up the door for immense growth.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/12\\\/with-a-desire-to-help-others-olivia-hoft-found-a-way-to-put-her-best-foot-forward-thanks-to-westconns-aba-program\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized-240x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Olivia-Hoft-portrait_resized.jpg\",\"index\":37,\"id\":1251,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The degree at WestConn will and has continued to provide me with countless opportunities within the field of ABA. 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They know your name, and it&rsquo;s easier to form a relationship with them. Everyone here is passionate. The faculty care about the students and their success.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/12\\\/looking-for-a-way-to-fulfill-a-lifelong-dream-kamaia-john-is-making-it-happen-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kamaia-John-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Looking for a way to fulfill a lifelong dream, Kamaia John is making it happen at WestConn\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-scaled.jpg\",\"title\":\"On the Trail &ndash; Successful bluegrass band members began their professional musical journey at WestConn\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"On the Trail &ndash; Successful bluegrass band members began their professional musical journey at WestConn\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Every aspect of music comprehension and the foundation we were expected to have has served me well. ... WestConn shaped me into a professional, so that when I started to work, I always had the skills I needed to be the best that I could be.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/04\\\/on-the-trail-successful-bluegrass-band-members-began-their-professional-musical-journey-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-768x513.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-1024x684.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-1536x1025.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-2048x1367.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-scaled.jpg\",\"index\":39,\"id\":1232,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Every aspect of music comprehension and the foundation we were expected to have has served me well. ... WestConn shaped me into a professional, so that when I started to work, I always had the skills I needed to be the best that I could be.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/04\\\/on-the-trail-successful-bluegrass-band-members-began-their-professional-musical-journey-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/On-the-Trail-Band-Photo_500x300-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"On the Trail &ndash; Successful bluegrass band members began their professional musical journey at WestConn\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500.jpg\",\"title\":\"Even in retirement, Betty Bajek relies on the lessons she learned at WestConn\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Even in retirement, Betty Bajek relies on the lessons she learned at WestConn\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I worked hard to achieve good grades and was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, the honor society in Education. I made lasting friendships. As a matter of fact, I still get together every year with eight women who lived in the same section (3D) in the dorm. We&rsquo;re celebrating over 50 years of friendship.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/27\\\/even-in-retirement-betty-bajek-relies-on-the-lessons-she-learned-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1717024996\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500-200x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500-333x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Betty-Bajek_300x500.jpg\",\"index\":40,\"id\":1216,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I worked hard to achieve good grades and was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, the honor society in Education. 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I&rsquo;ve really found my place. I&rsquo;ve had a chance to travel and learn about different cultures, meet other people and network, and develop job skills. I&rsquo;ve learned how to explore, and this school has taught me that there&rsquo;s so much more.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/24\\\/emily-rodriguez-has-learned-how-to-explore-and-gained-valuable-experiences-on-her-way-to-a-westconn-marketing-degree\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"13\",\"credit\":\"Tony DeZinno\",\"camera\":\"NIKON D810\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1740051865\",\"copyright\":\"WCSU\",\"focal_length\":\"48\",\"iso\":\"200\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.005\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2-300x240.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2-768x614.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2-1024x819.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2.jpg\",\"index\":41,\"id\":1209,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve learned a lot at WestConn. I&rsquo;ve really found my place. I&rsquo;ve had a chance to travel and learn about different cultures, meet other people and network, and develop job skills. I&rsquo;ve learned how to explore, and this school has taught me that there&rsquo;s so much more.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/24\\\/emily-rodriguez-has-learned-how-to-explore-and-gained-valuable-experiences-on-her-way-to-a-westconn-marketing-degree\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Rodriguez2-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Emily Rodriguez has learned how to explore and gained valuable experiences on her way to a WestConn Marketing degree\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kassandra-Ruiz_Alaska.png\",\"title\":\"Pride in her heritage and connection to her community have propelled Kassandra Ruiz&rsquo;s journey to personal and professional success\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kassandra-Ruiz_Alaska.png\",\"alt\":\"Pride in her heritage and connection to her community have propelled Kassandra Ruiz&rsquo;s journey to personal and professional success\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I remain passionate about supporting underprivileged communities through various projects. As I continue to build my career, I am committed to following my intuition, staying true to my identity, and fostering both personal and professional growth.&rdquo; The journey began at WestConn. &ldquo;I met incredible people and learned from brilliant professors there. 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Everyone along the way said, &lsquo;WestConn is a very rigorous program,&rsquo; and they were right.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/18\\\/alumna-sara-milne-capitalized-on-her-westconn-experiences-to-travel-as-a-navy-nurse\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sara-Milne-office_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Sara Milne capitalized on her WestConn experiences to travel as a Navy Nurse\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2.jpg\",\"title\":\"Michael Ferguson grew his passion for politics and teaching at WestConn\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Michael Ferguson grew his passion for politics and teaching at WestConn\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The time I was at WestConn made me realize that teaching was something I really wanted to do. My good experiences there pretty much fulfilled what I was looking for. It&rsquo;s a major university, but also has the hometown feel. You&rsquo;re never overwhelmed or intimidated, and the faculty and staff just want to help you and see you do well.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/01\\\/28\\\/michael-ferguson-grew-his-passion-for-politics-and-teaching-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2-480x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2.jpg\",\"index\":44,\"id\":1179,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The time I was at WestConn made me realize that teaching was something I really wanted to do. My good experiences there pretty much fulfilled what I was looking for. It&rsquo;s a major university, but also has the hometown feel. You&rsquo;re never overwhelmed or intimidated, and the faculty and staff just want to help you and see you do well.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/01\\\/28\\\/michael-ferguson-grew-his-passion-for-politics-and-teaching-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MFerguson-Citadel-2-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Michael Ferguson grew his passion for politics and teaching at WestConn\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait.jpg\",\"title\":\"Trusting her instincts and powers of observation adds up to recognition as New Milford&rsquo;s Teacher of the Year for alumna Colleen Peterson\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Trusting her instincts and powers of observation adds up to recognition as New Milford&rsquo;s Teacher of the Year for alumna Colleen Peterson\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The Math Department is phenomenal. Dr. David Burns, Dr. Amanda Lubell, Dr. Chuck Rocca &mdash; they really helped me become who I am now. The classes were small, I got to know my professors, and all of them went above and beyond to individualize what I needed as a student. I was more than just a face &mdash; I was a person. They really helped support me to get to where I am today.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/01\\\/24\\\/trusting-her-instincts-and-powers-of-observation-adds-up-to-recognition-as-new-milfords-teacher-of-the-year-for-alumna-colleen-peterson\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait-240x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait-640x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait.jpg\",\"index\":45,\"id\":1172,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The Math Department is phenomenal. Dr. David Burns, Dr. Amanda Lubell, Dr. Chuck Rocca &mdash; they really helped me become who I am now. The classes were small, I got to know my professors, and all of them went above and beyond to individualize what I needed as a student. I was more than just a face &mdash; I was a person. They really helped support me to get to where I am today.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/01\\\/24\\\/trusting-her-instincts-and-powers-of-observation-adds-up-to-recognition-as-new-milfords-teacher-of-the-year-for-alumna-colleen-peterson\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Peterson-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Trusting her instincts and powers of observation adds up to recognition as New Milford&rsquo;s Teacher of the Year for alumna Colleen Peterson\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-scaled.jpg\",\"title\":\"A world of opportunities opened for JLA student Paige Muscillo with her participation in ISEP\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"A world of opportunities opened for JLA student Paige Muscillo with her participation in ISEP\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Not only have I made amazing, lifelong friends, but the professors are great and give really good advice. WestConn, through its membership in ISEP, introduced me to foreign travel, and not every university offers it. I&rsquo;m excited about the possibility of a career that will provide more opportunities to travel in the future.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/01\\\/24\\\/a-world-of-opportunities-opened-for-jla-student-paige-muscillo-with-her-participation-in-isep\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-224x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-768x1027.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-766x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-1149x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-1531x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-scaled.jpg\",\"index\":46,\"id\":1170,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Not only have I made amazing, lifelong friends, but the professors are great and give really good advice. WestConn, through its membership in ISEP, introduced me to foreign travel, and not every university offers it. I&rsquo;m excited about the possibility of a career that will provide more opportunities to travel in the future.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2025\\\/01\\\/24\\\/a-world-of-opportunities-opened-for-jla-student-paige-muscillo-with-her-participation-in-isep\\\/&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Paige-Muscillo_Roehampton-4_cropped-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"A world of opportunities opened for JLA student Paige Muscillo with her participation in ISEP\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized.jpg\",\"title\":\"Kathwari Honors Student Andrea Mandujano expanded her knowledge in Costa Rica\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Kathwari Honors Student Andrea Mandujano expanded her knowledge in Costa Rica\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Because of the generous funding from the Kathwari Family and Barden Fund, I was able to experience Costa Rica and learn about what clinical experience in a nursing home is like,and it also helped me better my Spanish medical terminology. I wouldn&rsquo;t have been able to do these things without their generosity.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/06\\\/kathwari-honors-student-andrea-mandujano-expanded-her-knowledge-in-costa-rica\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized-300x225.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized-667x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized.jpg\",\"index\":47,\"id\":1144,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Because of the generous funding from the Kathwari Family and Barden Fund, I was able to experience Costa Rica and learn about what clinical experience in a nursing home is like,and it also helped me better my Spanish medical terminology. I wouldn&rsquo;t have been able to do these things without their generosity.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/06\\\/kathwari-honors-student-andrea-mandujano-expanded-her-knowledge-in-costa-rica\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Andrea-Mandujano_resized-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Kathwari Honors Student Andrea Mandujano expanded her knowledge in Costa Rica\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Veteran Thomas Simeone looks forward to his second career with his WestConn Nursing degree\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3.jpeg\",\"alt\":\"Veteran Thomas Simeone looks forward to his second career with his WestConn Nursing degree\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Now that I&rsquo;m at WestConn, the people I have met here have been great and I&rsquo;ve made lifelong friends. The small campus, small class sizes and great faculty &mdash; it just works. It&rsquo;s a great school that offers a lot and it&rsquo;s not overwhelming. I&rsquo;m getting a quality education.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/10\\\/veteran-thomas-simeone-looks-forward-to-his-second-career-with-his-westconn-nursing-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3-150x150.jpeg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3-224x300.jpeg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3-768x1027.jpeg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3-766x1024.jpeg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3.jpeg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3.jpeg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3-940x198.jpeg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3-272x182.jpeg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3.jpeg\",\"index\":48,\"id\":1143,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Now that I&rsquo;m at WestConn, the people I have met here have been great and I&rsquo;ve made lifelong friends. The small campus, small class sizes and great faculty &mdash; it just works. It&rsquo;s a great school that offers a lot and it&rsquo;s not overwhelming. I&rsquo;m getting a quality education.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/10\\\/veteran-thomas-simeone-looks-forward-to-his-second-career-with-his-westconn-nursing-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Thomas-Simeone3-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Veteran Thomas Simeone looks forward to his second career with his WestConn Nursing degree\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"title\":\"The freedom to change academic tracks enabled Sorreea Gagnebin to expand her skillset and develop her strengths as SGA president\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"alt\":\"The freedom to change academic tracks enabled Sorreea Gagnebin to expand her skillset and develop her strengths as SGA president\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I really like it here, this smaller community. You know the majority of people you walk past on campus. The quality of the education is really great, and financially it&rsquo;s cheaper than other options. I got to be at home with my loved ones, too. Plus, the professors here make such a difference.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/06\\\/the-freedom-to-change-academic-tracks-enabled-sorreea-gagnebin-to-expand-her-skillset-and-develop-her-strengths-as-sga-president\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1732018805\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-200x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated.jpg\",\"index\":49,\"id\":1133,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I really like it here, this smaller community. You know the majority of people you walk past on campus. The quality of the education is really great, and financially it&rsquo;s cheaper than other options. I got to be at home with my loved ones, too. Plus, the professors here make such a difference.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/06\\\/the-freedom-to-change-academic-tracks-enabled-sorreea-gagnebin-to-expand-her-skillset-and-develop-her-strengths-as-sga-president\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sorreea-Gagnebin_resized-rotated-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"The freedom to change academic tracks enabled Sorreea Gagnebin to expand her skillset and develop her strengths as SGA president\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped.jpg\",\"title\":\"Vitoria Vieira expands her &lsquo;little corner&rsquo; at WestConn to include the world\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Vitoria Vieira expands her &lsquo;little corner&rsquo; at WestConn to include the world\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I love language, culture, and people who want to learn and explore. You find a lot of people in the same situation when you study abroad. I was definitely inspired by the places I have been and it will expand my horizons when considering where I&rsquo;m going to study for my graduate degree. I love that I had this opportunity at WestConn.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/19\\\/vitoria-vieira-expands-her-little-corner-at-westconn-to-include-the-world\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1716203378\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped-277x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped.jpg\",\"index\":50,\"id\":1115,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I love language, culture, and people who want to learn and explore. You find a lot of people in the same situation when you study abroad. I was definitely inspired by the places I have been and it will expand my horizons when considering where I&rsquo;m going to study for my graduate degree. I love that I had this opportunity at WestConn.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/19\\\/vitoria-vieira-expands-her-little-corner-at-westconn-to-include-the-world\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Vitoria-Vieiracropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Vitoria Vieira expands her &lsquo;little corner&rsquo; at WestConn to include the world\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped.jpg\",\"title\":\"Kathwari Honors Student Kylin McMahon starts WestConn Fencing Club\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Kathwari Honors Student Kylin McMahon starts WestConn Fencing Club\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Fencing has taught me patience and discipline, and that&rsquo;s what academics require, too. For both, I form a goal, I come up with steps for how to move forward in achieving that goal. I feel energized and more motivated to do academic work with the joy I feel from starting and participating in WestConn&rsquo;s new Fencing Club.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/19\\\/kathwari-honors-student-kylin-mcmahon-starts-westconn-fencing-club\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped-298x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped.jpg\",\"index\":51,\"id\":1114,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Fencing has taught me patience and discipline, and that&rsquo;s what academics require, too. For both, I form a goal, I come up with steps for how to move forward in achieving that goal. I feel energized and more motivated to do academic work with the joy I feel from starting and participating in WestConn&rsquo;s new Fencing Club.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/19\\\/kathwari-honors-student-kylin-mcmahon-starts-westconn-fencing-club\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kylin-McMahon-fencing_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Kathwari Honors Student Kylin McMahon starts WestConn Fencing Club\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-scaled.jpg\",\"title\":\"Hannah Alexander blends interests in music and law to pursue dual degrees at WestConn\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Hannah Alexander blends interests in music and law to pursue dual degrees at WestConn\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I felt very secure in my choice to come here, and I would encourage anyone to consider this option. Meeting with teachers and current students can&rsquo;t be replicated. WestConn is the most friendly and welcoming place I looked at, and is so different from typical conservatory settings. Here there is camaraderie and everyone lifts each other up.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/13\\\/hannah-alexander-blends-interests-in-music-and-law-to-pursue-dual-degrees-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"14\",\"credit\":\"Tony DeZinno\",\"camera\":\"NIKON D810\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1731518575\",\"copyright\":\"WCSU\",\"focal_length\":\"52\",\"iso\":\"800\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0166666666667\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-2048x1365.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-scaled.jpg\",\"index\":52,\"id\":1109,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I felt very secure in my choice to come here, and I would encourage anyone to consider this option. Meeting with teachers and current students can&rsquo;t be replicated. WestConn is the most friendly and welcoming place I looked at, and is so different from typical conservatory settings. Here there is camaraderie and everyone lifts each other up.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/13\\\/hannah-alexander-blends-interests-in-music-and-law-to-pursue-dual-degrees-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hannah-Alexander-portrait-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Hannah Alexander blends interests in music and law to pursue dual degrees at WestConn\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Victoria Giraldo sees her 2025 JLA degree as a step toward becoming a Navy JAG officer\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Victoria Giraldo sees her 2025 JLA degree as a step toward becoming a Navy JAG officer\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WestConn is the best option if you want to stay in Danbury, commute and work at your job(s). It&rsquo;s a great school with great professors, and I&rsquo;ve always worked while I have been a student here. My family is very proud of me and think the path I&rsquo;ve chosen is a smart decision.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/11\\\/victoria-giraldo-sees-her-2025-jla-degree-as-a-step-toward-becoming-a-navy-jag-officer\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":\"WCSU\",\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":53,\"id\":1101,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WestConn is the best option if you want to stay in Danbury, commute and work at your job(s). It&rsquo;s a great school with great professors, and I&rsquo;ve always worked while I have been a student here. My family is very proud of me and think the path I&rsquo;ve chosen is a smart decision.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/11\\\/victoria-giraldo-sees-her-2025-jla-degree-as-a-step-toward-becoming-a-navy-jag-officer\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-Giraldo_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Victoria Giraldo sees her 2025 JLA degree as a step toward becoming a Navy JAG officer\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags.jpg\",\"title\":\"Veteran Malcolm MacKenzie has found his peers &mdash; and his flight path &mdash; at WestConn\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Veteran Malcolm MacKenzie has found his peers &mdash; and his flight path &mdash; at WestConn\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WestConn has top-notch professors. They&rsquo;ll step back and retrace stuff if they see blank stares, they come in early and stay late. You don&rsquo;t get that kind of support in huge, auditorium-style situations.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/07\\\/veteran-malcolm-mackenzie-has-found-his-peers-and-his-flight-path-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1730801452\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags.jpg\",\"index\":54,\"id\":1096,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WestConn has top-notch professors. They&rsquo;ll step back and retrace stuff if they see blank stares, they come in early and stay late. You don&rsquo;t get that kind of support in huge, auditorium-style situations.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/07\\\/veteran-malcolm-mackenzie-has-found-his-peers-and-his-flight-path-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malcolm-MacKenzie_flags-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Veteran Malcolm MacKenzie has found his peers &mdash; and his flight path &mdash; at WestConn\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab.jpg\",\"title\":\"Adam Psenicnik&rsquo;s AI-based research seeks to pinpoint toxins in scorpion venom that can aid in medical treatments through their antimicrobial and anticancer properties\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Adam Psenicnik&rsquo;s AI-based research seeks to pinpoint toxins in scorpion venom that can aid in medical treatments through their antimicrobial and anticancer properties\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I like the fact that the faculty in the sciences and math encourage their students to do hands-on research. If you have a project you want to explore, you&rsquo;ll probably find a faculty member to help you do it.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/07\\\/adam-psenicniks-ai-based-research-seeks-to-pinpoint-toxins-in-scorpion-venom-that-can-aid-in-medical-treatments-through-their-antimicrobial-and-anticancer-properties\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1730898901\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab.jpg\",\"index\":55,\"id\":1078,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I like the fact that the faculty in the sciences and math encourage their students to do hands-on research. If you have a project you want to explore, you&rsquo;ll probably find a faculty member to help you do it.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/07\\\/adam-psenicniks-ai-based-research-seeks-to-pinpoint-toxins-in-scorpion-venom-that-can-aid-in-medical-treatments-through-their-antimicrobial-and-anticancer-properties\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Adam-Psenicnik-in-bio-lab-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Adam Psenicnik&rsquo;s AI-based research seeks to pinpoint toxins in scorpion venom that can aid in medical treatments through their antimicrobial and anticancer properties\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated.jpg\",\"title\":\"For Emily Kappel, the numbers added up to a WestConn education\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated.jpg\",\"alt\":\"For Emily Kappel, the numbers added up to a WestConn education\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WestConn has afforded me so many opportunities. It is a very tight-knit community with so many opportunities to be involved and professors and administrators who go above and beyond for students. I love that since WestConn is a smaller school, I really get to know my professors and have even had many opportunities to meet and work with upper-level admins, which is something that I really appreciate.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/23\\\/for-emily-kappel-the-numbers-added-up-to-a-westconn-education\\\/&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"2.2\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"iPhone 13 mini\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1691132901\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"2.71\",\"iso\":\"160\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0166666666667\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-480x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated.jpg\",\"index\":56,\"id\":1065,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WestConn has afforded me so many opportunities. It is a very tight-knit community with so many opportunities to be involved and professors and administrators who go above and beyond for students. I love that since WestConn is a smaller school, I really get to know my professors and have even had many opportunities to meet and work with upper-level admins, which is something that I really appreciate.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/23\\\/for-emily-kappel-the-numbers-added-up-to-a-westconn-education\\\/&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_0994-rotated-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"For Emily Kappel, the numbers added up to a WestConn education\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-scaled.jpg\",\"title\":\"Jonathan Evans is on a fast-track to success\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Jonathan Evans is on a fast-track to success\",\"caption\":\"Currently undeclared, Evans decided to take all of his required Gen Ed classes first to get a feel for everything. He&rsquo;s leaning toward majoring in Justice and Law Administration with a History minor, because he&rsquo;s interested in attending law school eventually to become a prosecutor.\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/23\\\/jonathan-evans-is-on-a-fast-track-to-success\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"8\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"Canon EOS 80D\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1729603116\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"35\",\"iso\":\"100\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.005\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-2048x1365.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-scaled.jpg\",\"index\":57,\"id\":1064,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"Currently undeclared, Evans decided to take all of his required Gen Ed classes first to get a feel for everything. He&rsquo;s leaning toward majoring in Justice and Law Administration with a History minor, because he&rsquo;s interested in attending law school eventually to become a prosecutor.\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/23\\\/jonathan-evans-is-on-a-fast-track-to-success\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/IMG_3671-copy-scaled-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Jonathan Evans is on a fast-track to success\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Kathwari Honors student Maia Quirk sees the world from both sides now\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk.jpeg\",\"alt\":\"Kathwari Honors student Maia Quirk sees the world from both sides now\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Without the generous funding from the Kathwari Family and the Barden Fund, I would not have been able to learn valuable information to enhance my abilities within the Economics field or experience all that South Korea has to offer. The benefits and opportunities that the program offers have infinite value that will be useful throughout both college and future career life.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/04\\\/kathwari-honors-student-maia-quirk-sees-the-world-from-both-sides-now\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk-150x150.jpeg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk-300x225.jpeg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk.jpeg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk.jpeg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk.jpeg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk.jpeg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk-768x198.jpeg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk-272x182.jpeg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk.jpeg\",\"index\":58,\"id\":1043,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Without the generous funding from the Kathwari Family and the Barden Fund, I would not have been able to learn valuable information to enhance my abilities within the Economics field or experience all that South Korea has to offer. The benefits and opportunities that the program offers have infinite value that will be useful throughout both college and future career life.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/04\\\/kathwari-honors-student-maia-quirk-sees-the-world-from-both-sides-now\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maia-Quirk-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Kathwari Honors student Maia Quirk sees the world from both sides now\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"At WestConn, Nicole Day found her direction and her true calling\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"At WestConn, Nicole Day found her direction and her true calling\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU is a place where opportunities are born. There are so many ways that this school outshines others. For starters, there is a place for everyone. Every single student can find a safe space for themselves that will help them thrive and prosper.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/04\\\/at-westconn-nicole-day-found-her-direction-and-her-true-calling\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1726949907\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":59,\"id\":1042,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU is a place where opportunities are born. There are so many ways that this school outshines others. For starters, there is a place for everyone. Every single student can find a safe space for themselves that will help them thrive and prosper.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/04\\\/at-westconn-nicole-day-found-her-direction-and-her-true-calling\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nicole.Day_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"At WestConn, Nicole Day found her direction and her true calling\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Abi Walling decided if she was going to study abroad, why not take it to the max\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3.jpeg\",\"alt\":\"Abi Walling decided if she was going to study abroad, why not take it to the max\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;What I thought was really cool about this experience was that you pay your tuition to WestConn, but you get to take your classes somewhere else through ISEP. The whole application process was easier than I expected, and all of the classes I took in Australia transferred to my transcript, so I can still graduate on time.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/01\\\/abi-walling-decided-if-she-was-going-to-study-abroad-why-not-take-it-to-the-max\\\/&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-150x150.jpeg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-300x225.jpeg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-768x576.jpeg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-1024x769.jpeg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-1536x1153.jpeg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3.jpeg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-940x198.jpeg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-272x182.jpeg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3.jpeg\",\"index\":60,\"id\":1041,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;What I thought was really cool about this experience was that you pay your tuition to WestConn, but you get to take your classes somewhere else through ISEP. The whole application process was easier than I expected, and all of the classes I took in Australia transferred to my transcript, so I can still graduate on time.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/01\\\/abi-walling-decided-if-she-was-going-to-study-abroad-why-not-take-it-to-the-max\\\/&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Abi-Walling3-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Abi Walling decided if she was going to study abroad, why not take it to the max\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1.jpg\",\"title\":\"It&rsquo;s always been about the music for alumna Jennifer Caraluzzi\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"It&rsquo;s always been about the music for alumna Jennifer Caraluzzi\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;At WestConn, there was so much that inspired me. I participated in a Jazz workshop with Cedar Walton, and I was able to attend a singing program in Italy after my sophomore year. The faculty was always advocating for me. My professor, Dr. Margaret Astrup, became both my mentor and a dear friend, and would send me competition information and encouraged me to go to graduate school &mdash; and I&rsquo;m glad I did.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/17\\\/its-always-been-about-the-music-for-alumna-jennifer-caraluzzi\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"3.2\",\"credit\":\"KARA NIXON\",\"camera\":\"NIKON D750\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1472322481\",\"copyright\":\"KJN2016\",\"focal_length\":\"50\",\"iso\":\"320\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.004\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-209x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-768x1102.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-714x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-1070x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-1427x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1.jpg\",\"index\":61,\"id\":1012,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;At WestConn, there was so much that inspired me. I participated in a Jazz workshop with Cedar Walton, and I was able to attend a singing program in Italy after my sophomore year. The faculty was always advocating for me. My professor, Dr. Margaret Astrup, became both my mentor and a dear friend, and would send me competition information and encouraged me to go to graduate school &mdash; and I&rsquo;m glad I did.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/17\\\/its-always-been-about-the-music-for-alumna-jennifer-caraluzzi\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Caraluzzi_15-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"It&rsquo;s always been about the music for alumna Jennifer Caraluzzi\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren.jpg\",\"title\":\"A bright future is in the forecast for WestConn Meteorology alumnus Jack Drake\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren.jpg\",\"alt\":\"A bright future is in the forecast for WestConn Meteorology alumnus Jack Drake\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;People have told me my weather knowledge is just as good as meteorologists who studied anywhere else. It&rsquo;s right on track with the more &lsquo;well-known&rsquo; schools. I learned so much from professors Rob Eisenson and Jim Boyle about broadcasting and the behind-the-scenes forecasting.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/16\\\/a-bright-future-is-in-the-forecast-for-westconn-meteorology-alumnus-jack-drake\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-768x1024.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-768x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-1152x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren.jpg\",\"index\":62,\"id\":1011,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;People have told me my weather knowledge is just as good as meteorologists who studied anywhere else. It&rsquo;s right on track with the more &lsquo;well-known&rsquo; schools. I learned so much from professors Rob Eisenson and Jim Boyle about broadcasting and the behind-the-scenes forecasting.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/16\\\/a-bright-future-is-in-the-forecast-for-westconn-meteorology-alumnus-jack-drake\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Jack-Drake-with-Warren-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"A bright future is in the forecast for WestConn Meteorology alumnus Jack Drake\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Erin Palomba elevated an MIS degree to an MBA and Certification as an Information Systems Auditor at Carrier Corp.\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Alumna Erin Palomba elevated an MIS degree to an MBA and Certification as an Information Systems Auditor at Carrier Corp.\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WestConn has a great combination of traditional and non-trad students with opportunities for everyone. If you aren&rsquo;t 100% sure on what you want to do, just start anyway and your path will find you!&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/17\\\/alumna-erin-palomba-elevated-an-mis-degree-to-an-mba-and-certification-as-an-information-systems-auditor-at-carrier-corp\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba-226x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba-499x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba.jpg\",\"index\":63,\"id\":1010,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WestConn has a great combination of traditional and non-trad students with opportunities for everyone. If you aren&rsquo;t 100% sure on what you want to do, just start anyway and your path will find you!&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/17\\\/alumna-erin-palomba-elevated-an-mis-degree-to-an-mba-and-certification-as-an-information-systems-auditor-at-carrier-corp\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Erin-Palomba-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Erin Palomba elevated an MIS degree to an MBA and Certification as an Information Systems Auditor at Carrier Corp.\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped.jpg\",\"title\":\"The journey to medical school has been arduous, but alumnus James Pesantez&rsquo;s persistence has paid off\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped.jpg\",\"alt\":\"The journey to medical school has been arduous, but alumnus James Pesantez&rsquo;s persistence has paid off\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I would encourage future students to view WestConn as a profound opportunity for personal and academic growth. The experiences and education offered here can truly transform one&rsquo;s life.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/27\\\/the-journey-to-medical-school-has-been-arduous-but-alumnus-james-pesantezs-persistence-has-paid-off\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped-217x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped-433x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped.jpg\",\"index\":64,\"id\":992,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I would encourage future students to view WestConn as a profound opportunity for personal and academic growth. The experiences and education offered here can truly transform one&rsquo;s life.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/27\\\/the-journey-to-medical-school-has-been-arduous-but-alumnus-james-pesantezs-persistence-has-paid-off\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/James-Pesantez_cropped-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"The journey to medical school has been arduous, but alumnus James Pesantez&rsquo;s persistence has paid off\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Valerie Massimo&rsquo;s decision to stay yielded two degrees, a spouse and a great career\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Valerie Massimo&rsquo;s decision to stay yielded two degrees, a spouse and a great career\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I thrived at WestConn because it was a smaller school. My strengths were that much more apparent. For so many reasons, I&rsquo;m glad that I stayed.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/27\\\/valerie-massimos-decision-to-stay-yielded-two-degrees-a-spouse-and-a-great-career\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1696154079\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300-300x275.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":65,\"id\":991,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I thrived at WestConn because it was a smaller school. My strengths were that much more apparent. For so many reasons, I&rsquo;m glad that I stayed.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/27\\\/valerie-massimos-decision-to-stay-yielded-two-degrees-a-spouse-and-a-great-career\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/valerie-massimo-family_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Valerie Massimo&rsquo;s decision to stay yielded two degrees, a spouse and a great career\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"International student Denise Henzen has found her &lsquo;home&rsquo; at WestConn\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"International student Denise Henzen has found her &lsquo;home&rsquo; at WestConn\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I knew that WestConn would give me the opportunity to explore my interests, while also preparing me for a wide variety of careers, which is the perfect combination for me. It is also a very affordable university, even for international students, while offering education of great quality.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/27\\\/international-student-denise-henzen-has-found-her-home-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300-300x289.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":66,\"id\":990,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I knew that WestConn would give me the opportunity to explore my interests, while also preparing me for a wide variety of careers, which is the perfect combination for me. It is also a very affordable university, even for international students, while offering education of great quality.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/27\\\/international-student-denise-henzen-has-found-her-home-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Denise-Henzen_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"International student Denise Henzen has found her &lsquo;home&rsquo; at WestConn\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury.jpg\",\"title\":\"Danbury&rsquo;s director of Health and Human Services started building her knowledge base at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Danbury&rsquo;s director of Health and Human Services started building her knowledge base at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;My studies at WestConn provided a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and the medical field, which has been instrumental in my career.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/07\\\/danburys-director-of-health-and-human-services-started-building-her-knowledge-base-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-768x1024.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-768x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-1152x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-1536x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury.jpg\",\"index\":67,\"id\":975,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;My studies at WestConn provided a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and the medical field, which has been instrumental in my career.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/07\\\/danburys-director-of-health-and-human-services-started-building-her-knowledge-base-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Fernanda-Carvalho-City-of-Danbury-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Danbury&rsquo;s director of Health and Human Services started building her knowledge base at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new.jpg\",\"title\":\"Lamar Smith expanded his portfolio of creative outlets at WestConn\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Lamar Smith expanded his portfolio of creative outlets at WestConn\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;College is an important place to help you grow. To be able to live away from home without the finality of moving out. And WestConn provided a nice environment for that; for me to find myself.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/07\\\/alumnus-lamar-smith-expanded-his-portfolio-of-creative-outlets-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new-300x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new.jpg\",\"index\":68,\"id\":974,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;College is an important place to help you grow. To be able to live away from home without the finality of moving out. And WestConn provided a nice environment for that; for me to find myself.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/07\\\/alumnus-lamar-smith-expanded-his-portfolio-of-creative-outlets-at-westconn\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lamar-Smith_new-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Lamar Smith expanded his portfolio of creative outlets at WestConn\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait.jpg\",\"title\":\"Following in her sisters&rsquo; footsteps set alumna Nina DiNicola up for success\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Following in her sisters&rsquo; footsteps set alumna Nina DiNicola up for success\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU is a great, affordable university that will give you the tools you need to succeed and then some. It is all about what you make of it. You get out what you put in.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/08\\\/following-in-her-sisters-footsteps-set-alumna-nina-dinicola-up-for-success\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait-240x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait-640x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait.jpg\",\"index\":69,\"id\":972,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU is a great, affordable university that will give you the tools you need to succeed and then some. It is all about what you make of it. You get out what you put in.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/08\\\/following-in-her-sisters-footsteps-set-alumna-nina-dinicola-up-for-success\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Nina-DiNicola-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Following in her sisters&rsquo; footsteps set alumna Nina DiNicola up for success\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lindsey-Goodwick_500x300-1.png\",\"title\":\"Internship experience launched a decades-long nonprofit career and countless stories for alumna Lindsey Goodwick to share\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lindsey-Goodwick_500x300-1.png\",\"alt\":\"Internship experience launched a decades-long nonprofit career and countless stories for alumna Lindsey Goodwick to share\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;If you&rsquo;re looking for a school that feels like home, where you&rsquo;ll receive personal support from your professors and your community, where you&rsquo;ll have access to fun activities and extracurricular opportunities, WCSU is the place for you. 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For a small state school, the professors had had incredible careers in law enforcement, corrections and as attorneys. 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They were right: I felt so at home here. My whole family loves and appreciates WCSU.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/27\\\/recent-graduate-charlotte-bishop-embraces-family-legacy-and-earns-experience-and-her-wcsu-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300-300x184.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":72,\"id\":934,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I&rsquo;m grateful I had family members in my corner telling me I would enjoy it. 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My whole family loves and appreciates WCSU.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/27\\\/recent-graduate-charlotte-bishop-embraces-family-legacy-and-earns-experience-and-her-wcsu-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Charlotte-Bishop-cap-and-gown_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Recent graduate Charlotte Bishop embraces family legacy and earns experience and her WCSU degree\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU&rsquo;s 4+1 Cybersecurity M.B.A. welcomes first students in fall 2024; recent bachelor&rsquo;s degree recipient Tyler Catania is among them\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"WCSU&rsquo;s 4+1 Cybersecurity M.B.A. welcomes first students in fall 2024; recent bachelor&rsquo;s degree recipient Tyler Catania is among them\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The 4+1 program will enable me to get an M.B.A. in one year if I work hard. The tuition cost was very appealing, and I already know so many people at WCSU. Everyone from the professors to the staff to President Singh have consistently been nice and accommodating since I&rsquo;ve been a student here, and it&rsquo;s a very welcoming community.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/26\\\/wcsus-41-cybersecurity-m-b-a-welcomes-first-students-in-fall-2024-recent-bachelors-degree-recipient-tyler-catania-is-among-them\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1719389709\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":73,\"id\":928,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The 4+1 program will enable me to get an M.B.A. in one year if I work hard. The tuition cost was very appealing, and I already know so many people at WCSU. Everyone from the professors to the staff to President Singh have consistently been nice and accommodating since I&rsquo;ve been a student here, and it&rsquo;s a very welcoming community.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/26\\\/wcsus-41-cybersecurity-m-b-a-welcomes-first-students-in-fall-2024-recent-bachelors-degree-recipient-tyler-catania-is-among-them\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tyler-Catania2_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU&rsquo;s 4+1 Cybersecurity M.B.A. welcomes first students in fall 2024; recent bachelor&rsquo;s degree recipient Tyler Catania is among them\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer.jpg\",\"title\":\"Nursing student, soccer player Justin Rivest has his eyes on the goal\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Nursing student, soccer player Justin Rivest has his eyes on the goal\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I&rsquo;m really happy to be at WCSU. I&rsquo;ve had so many great experiences: winning the LEC Championship and participating in volunteer activities with the soccer team and several clubs that included cleaning up the campus, making sandwiches for a shelter, a bake sale and volunteering for the magnet school&rsquo;s field day on the university&rsquo;s field.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/25\\\/nursing-student-soccer-player-justin-rivest-has-his-eyes-on-the-goal\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-2048x1365.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer.jpg\",\"index\":74,\"id\":927,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I&rsquo;m really happy to be at WCSU. I&rsquo;ve had so many great experiences: winning the LEC Championship and participating in volunteer activities with the soccer team and several clubs that included cleaning up the campus, making sandwiches for a shelter, a bake sale and volunteering for the magnet school&rsquo;s field day on the university&rsquo;s field.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/25\\\/nursing-student-soccer-player-justin-rivest-has-his-eyes-on-the-goal\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Justin-Rivest-soccer-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Nursing student, soccer player Justin Rivest has his eyes on the goal\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-scaled.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Kieran Doolabh&rsquo;s network at WCSU helped him secure his goals\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-scaled.jpeg\",\"alt\":\"Kieran Doolabh&rsquo;s network at WCSU helped him secure his goals\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I got to set up, configure and bring onto the network an all-new access control panel for Newbury Hall, a residence hall. I programmed all the new doors, card readers, and access control devises that will soon be installed and landed on that panel. I&rsquo;d like to think I helped make a significant impact on the security at my university, and I feel so blessed to be able to work with a system like WCSU&rsquo;s &mdash; it&rsquo;s so sophisticated.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/31\\\/kieran-doolabhs-network-at-wcsu-helped-him-secure-his-goals\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-scaled-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"2.4\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"iPhone XS Max\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1714827421\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"6\",\"iso\":\"500\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0166666666667\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-150x150.jpeg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-300x225.jpeg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-768x576.jpeg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-1024x768.jpeg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-1536x1152.jpeg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-2048x1536.jpeg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-940x198.jpeg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-272x182.jpeg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-scaled.jpeg\",\"index\":75,\"id\":902,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I got to set up, configure and bring onto the network an all-new access control panel for Newbury Hall, a residence hall. I programmed all the new doors, card readers, and access control devises that will soon be installed and landed on that panel. I&rsquo;d like to think I helped make a significant impact on the security at my university, and I feel so blessed to be able to work with a system like WCSU&rsquo;s &mdash; it&rsquo;s so sophisticated.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/31\\\/kieran-doolabhs-network-at-wcsu-helped-him-secure-his-goals\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kieran-Doolabh-scaled-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Kieran Doolabh&rsquo;s network at WCSU helped him secure his goals\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Amity LaFantano&rsquo;s barrier-breaking law enforcement career began at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Amity LaFantano&rsquo;s barrier-breaking law enforcement career began at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I took classes at night, or any other time I could fit them in, while supporting myself financially and paying my own way through school. It was difficult at the time, but the skills I mastered in time management and finances are invaluable and carry on into all aspects of my life and success.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/02\\\/amity-lafantanos-barrier-breaking-law-enforcement-career-began-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1712255072\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300-241x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300-241x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":76,\"id\":895,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I took classes at night, or any other time I could fit them in, while supporting myself financially and paying my own way through school. It was difficult at the time, but the skills I mastered in time management and finances are invaluable and carry on into all aspects of my life and success.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/02\\\/amity-lafantanos-barrier-breaking-law-enforcement-career-began-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Amity-LaFantano_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Amity LaFantano&rsquo;s barrier-breaking law enforcement career began at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23.jpg\",\"title\":\"In the classroom and on the soccer field, Andr&eacute;s Jim&eacute;nez-Franck developed skills that led to law school\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23.jpg\",\"alt\":\"In the classroom and on the soccer field, Andr&eacute;s Jim&eacute;nez-Franck developed skills that led to law school\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I would 100% recommend a friend to go to WCSU. As an institution, you could not find a better value for your education anywhere in the state. WCSU offers a wide range of studies and has a diverse student population. My college degree from WCSU changed the course of my life and prepared me for my professional career.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/31\\\/in-the-classroom-and-on-the-soccer-field-andres-jimenez-franck-developed-skills-that-led-to-law-school\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"Jimenez-Franck, Andres\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"Jimenez-Franck, Andres\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23-289x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23-540x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23.jpg\",\"index\":77,\"id\":893,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I would 100% recommend a friend to go to WCSU. As an institution, you could not find a better value for your education anywhere in the state. WCSU offers a wide range of studies and has a diverse student population. My college degree from WCSU changed the course of my life and prepared me for my professional career.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/31\\\/in-the-classroom-and-on-the-soccer-field-andres-jimenez-franck-developed-skills-that-led-to-law-school\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/AJF-Headshot-23-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"In the classroom and on the soccer field, Andr&eacute;s Jim&eacute;nez-Franck developed skills that led to law school\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Mair_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Colleen Mair&rsquo;s 2016 prediction came true with hard work and dedication\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Mair_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Alumna Colleen Mair&rsquo;s 2016 prediction came true with hard work and dedication\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;&ldquo;At WCSU I developed and practiced good habits like communicating effectively and seeking out opportunities like internships. The wide variety of courses allowed me to learn about different subjects so I could learn what interested me. The professors at WCSU have a wealth of knowledge from their own research and their professions outside of their positions at WCSU. 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The wide variety of courses allowed me to learn about different subjects so I could learn what interested me. The professors at WCSU have a wealth of knowledge from their own research and their professions outside of their positions at WCSU. The skills I learned helped me prepare for my graduate courses.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/09\\\/alumna-colleen-mairs-2016-prediction-came-true-with-hard-work-and-dedication\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Colleen-Mair_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Colleen Mair&rsquo;s 2016 prediction came true with hard work and dedication\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Math enthusiasts Mason Kelsey and Peter Bigica submit, present research at conferences\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Math enthusiasts Mason Kelsey and Peter Bigica submit, present research at conferences\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;All of my professors not only knew me by name, but also knew and appreciated me as an individual. I felt appropriately challenged and supported in all of my endeavors; and that while my experience was my own to fashion, my department was always going to have my back.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/08\\\/wcsu-mathematics-enthusiasts-submit-present-research-at-conferences\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":79,\"id\":879,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;All of my professors not only knew me by name, but also knew and appreciated me as an individual. I felt appropriately challenged and supported in all of my endeavors; and that while my experience was my own to fashion, my department was always going to have my back.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/08\\\/wcsu-mathematics-enthusiasts-submit-present-research-at-conferences\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mason-Kelsey-and-Peter-Bigica2_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Math enthusiasts Mason Kelsey and Peter Bigica submit, present research at conferences\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Hunter Merrill named 2024 School Counseling Intern of the Year\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Hunter Merrill named 2024 School Counseling Intern of the Year\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I can&rsquo;t speak more highly of this program and all of the faculty members. I had an amazing undergrad and graduate experience and WCSU is a great university to attend.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/07\\\/wcsu-graduate-student-hunter-merrill-named-2024-school-counseling-intern-of-the-year\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1714677819\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300-300x182.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":80,\"id\":878,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I can&rsquo;t speak more highly of this program and all of the faculty members. I had an amazing undergrad and graduate experience and WCSU is a great university to attend.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/07\\\/wcsu-graduate-student-hunter-merrill-named-2024-school-counseling-intern-of-the-year\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Hunter-Merrill-accepts-award_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Hunter Merrill named 2024 School Counseling Intern of the Year\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1.jpg\",\"title\":\"Psychology students, alumna present research findings at prestigious Eastern Psychological Association Conference\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Psychology students, alumna present research findings at prestigious Eastern Psychological Association Conference\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The faculty are extremely supportive and push their students to be the best versions of themselves. I&rsquo;ve been able to make the most of my experience as a psychology major by getting heavily involved in the psychology club and taking on Research and Teaching Assistant roles within the department. These experiences set me up to be an excellent Ph.D. candidate, and I have the psychology faculty to thank for that.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/29\\\/psychology-students-alumna-present-research-findings-at-prestigious-eastern-psychological-association-conference\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1709313539\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1-300x181.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Psychology-conference_500x300-1.jpg\",\"index\":81,\"id\":861,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The faculty are extremely supportive and push their students to be the best versions of themselves. I&rsquo;ve been able to make the most of my experience as a psychology major by getting heavily involved in the psychology club and taking on Research and Teaching Assistant roles within the department. 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There are also lots of research options where you are working directly with a faculty member while gaining experience.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/30\\\/biological-diversity-graduate-student-maria-silva-translates-reaching-for-the-trees-to-research\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1684067309\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":82,\"id\":860,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;The great thing about WestConn is that the classes are small and there are more opportunities to talk to and build relationships with your professors. There are also lots of research options where you are working directly with a faculty member while gaining experience.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/30\\\/biological-diversity-graduate-student-maria-silva-translates-reaching-for-the-trees-to-research\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Silva2_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Biological Diversity graduate student Maria Silva translates reaching for the trees to research\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300-.jpg\",\"title\":\"Expanding his comfort zone has enabled Malik Cole to excel at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300-.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Expanding his comfort zone has enabled Malik Cole to excel at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Everyone here is a different color and culture, and WCSU embraces that. It&rsquo;s great that they embrace everyone here, no matter where you&rsquo;re from, with events where everyone can experience each other&rsquo;s culture and food.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/29\\\/expanding-his-comfort-zone-has-enabled-malik-cole-to-excel-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300--75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1697027480\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300--150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300--300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300-.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300-.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300-.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300-.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300--500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300--272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300-.jpg\",\"index\":83,\"id\":859,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Everyone here is a different color and culture, and WCSU embraces that. It&rsquo;s great that they embrace everyone here, no matter where you&rsquo;re from, with events where everyone can experience each other&rsquo;s culture and food.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/29\\\/expanding-his-comfort-zone-has-enabled-malik-cole-to-excel-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Malik-Cole_500x300--75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Expanding his comfort zone has enabled Malik Cole to excel at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU commencement will be a family affair for Bethel residents\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"WCSU commencement will be a family affair for Bethel residents\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU is amazing. You can do anything. It doesn&rsquo;t matter what your age is, your background, if you have a special needs kid, or are deployed &mdash; WCSU is good for everyone and they will help you do anything. There is no limit.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/29\\\/wcsu-commencement-will-be-a-family-affair-for-bethel-residents\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1713813196\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":84,\"id\":857,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU is amazing. You can do anything. It doesn&rsquo;t matter what your age is, your background, if you have a special needs kid, or are deployed &mdash; WCSU is good for everyone and they will help you do anything. There is no limit.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/29\\\/wcsu-commencement-will-be-a-family-affair-for-bethel-residents\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Victoria-with-Logan_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU commencement will be a family affair for Bethel residents\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Ezaan Khan named 2024 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipient\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Ezaan Khan named 2024 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipient\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;My experience at WCSU has been irreplaceable and life changing. WCSU provided me countless opportunities to grow myself into being a more professional, knowledgeable, and honorable man. By taking as many opportunities as I could and then some, I was able to go from being a student to a leader to a mentor for future leaders.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/17\\\/ezaan-khan-named-2024-henry-barnard-distinguished-student-award-recipient\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300-300x221.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":85,\"id\":834,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;My experience at WCSU has been irreplaceable and life changing. WCSU provided me countless opportunities to grow myself into being a more professional, knowledgeable, and honorable man. By taking as many opportunities as I could and then some, I was able to go from being a student to a leader to a mentor for future leaders.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/17\\\/ezaan-khan-named-2024-henry-barnard-distinguished-student-award-recipient\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ezaan-Khan_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Ezaan Khan named 2024 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipient\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Desiree Velez named 2024 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipient\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Desiree Velez named 2024 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipient\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;It is my belief that all educators provide a deep and enriching service to their community. One that everyone who is part of that community can benefit from. I would not be able to provide for my community without the people who have helped me along the way.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/17\\\/desiree-velez-named-2024-henry-barnard-distinguished-student-award-recipient\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300-300x220.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":86,\"id\":832,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;It is my belief that all educators provide a deep and enriching service to their community. One that everyone who is part of that community can benefit from. I would not be able to provide for my community without the people who have helped me along the way.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/17\\\/desiree-velez-named-2024-henry-barnard-distinguished-student-award-recipient\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Desiree_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Desiree Velez named 2024 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipient\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Networking, asking questions helped Rina Hernandez pursue her passion of removing language barriers\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Networking, asking questions helped Rina Hernandez pursue her passion of removing language barriers\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Make the effort to attend networking events if possible. WCSU organizations host many events that current students, alumni, and community members attend. These events are essential for finding assistance with the college experience. You may meet someone who went through your exact situation and can provide so much help.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/15\\\/networking-asking-questions-helped-rina-hernandez-pursue-her-passion-of-removing-language-barriers\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300.jpg\",\"index\":87,\"id\":819,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Make the effort to attend networking events if possible. WCSU organizations host many events that current students, alumni, and community members attend. These events are essential for finding assistance with the college experience. You may meet someone who went through your exact situation and can provide so much help.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/15\\\/networking-asking-questions-helped-rina-hernandez-pursue-her-passion-of-removing-language-barriers\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rina-Hernandez500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Networking, asking questions helped Rina Hernandez pursue her passion of removing language barriers\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Finance student Ardian Margegaj is a study in resilience and success\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Finance student Ardian Margegaj is a study in resilience and success\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Having on-campus employment opportunities was a big help to me in developing my resume. I was able to work as a peer tutor for a semester and build my leadership and communication skills. Using some of the resources in the Career Success Center helped me a lot as well. I was able to practice my interviewing skills ... this really helped me get my nerves under control going into my first &lsquo;real&rsquo; interview.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/15\\\/wcsu-finance-student-ardian-margegaj-is-a-study-in-resilience-and-success\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300.jpg\",\"index\":88,\"id\":818,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Having on-campus employment opportunities was a big help to me in developing my resume. I was able to work as a peer tutor for a semester and build my leadership and communication skills. Using some of the resources in the Career Success Center helped me a lot as well. I was able to practice my interviewing skills ... this really helped me get my nerves under control going into my first &lsquo;real&rsquo; interview.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/15\\\/wcsu-finance-student-ardian-margegaj-is-a-study-in-resilience-and-success\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ardian-Margegaj500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Finance student Ardian Margegaj is a study in resilience and success\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Accounting student Samuel Delorme learned the advantages of asking for &mdash; and offering &mdash; help\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Accounting student Samuel Delorme learned the advantages of asking for &mdash; and offering &mdash; help\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;As a first-gen student, I was afraid of seeking help, but all the clubs on campus, the advisers, they helped me fit in, The Tutoring Resource Center was where I started to hang out when I was struggling on my subjects. From there, I started to meet other students, and opportunities opened up to me. I got my job as a tutor, because I asked for help once and found out that helping people back was something that makes me happy.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/15\\\/in-overcoming-adversity-accounting-student-samuel-delorme-learned-the-advantages-of-asking-for-and-offering-help\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300.jpg\",\"index\":89,\"id\":817,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;As a first-gen student, I was afraid of seeking help, but all the clubs on campus, the advisers, they helped me fit in, The Tutoring Resource Center was where I started to hang out when I was struggling on my subjects. From there, I started to meet other students, and opportunities opened up to me. I got my job as a tutor, because I asked for help once and found out that helping people back was something that makes me happy.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/15\\\/in-overcoming-adversity-accounting-student-samuel-delorme-learned-the-advantages-of-asking-for-and-offering-help\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Sam-Delorme500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Accounting student Samuel Delorme learned the advantages of asking for &mdash; and offering &mdash; help\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek.jpg\",\"title\":\"From IT to Nursing: A mother&rsquo;s love prompts a career change\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek.jpg\",\"alt\":\"From IT to Nursing: A mother&rsquo;s love prompts a career change\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I would tell any registered nurse thinking of getting a BSN that the WCSU program is doable because you can create your own study time since most of the work is asynchronous. A bachelor&rsquo;s degree opens up a lot of opportunities. You can work anywhere. The WCSU program also prepares you well for getting a master&rsquo;s.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/02\\\/from-it-to-nursing-a-mothers-love-prompts-a-career-change\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":\"WCSU\",\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek.jpg\",\"index\":90,\"id\":804,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I would tell any registered nurse thinking of getting a BSN that the WCSU program is doable because you can create your own study time since most of the work is asynchronous. A bachelor&rsquo;s degree opens up a lot of opportunities. You can work anywhere. The WCSU program also prepares you well for getting a master&rsquo;s.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/02\\\/from-it-to-nursing-a-mothers-love-prompts-a-career-change\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Lilian-Zubek-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"From IT to Nursing: A mother&rsquo;s love prompts a career change\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"At WCSU, Alex Shapiro discovered his ultimate job and his eventual wife\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"At WCSU, Alex Shapiro discovered his ultimate job and his eventual wife\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;A state school like WCSU can give you all the opportunities you need in life. The smaller class sizes, and professors who are current from working in the field, will set you up better than at any &lsquo;top tier&rsquo; school. My wife is an example of that, too.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/02\\\/at-wcsu-alex-shapiro-discovered-his-ultimate-job-and-his-eventual-wife\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":91,\"id\":797,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;A state school like WCSU can give you all the opportunities you need in life. The smaller class sizes, and professors who are current from working in the field, will set you up better than at any &lsquo;top tier&rsquo; school. My wife is an example of that, too.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/02\\\/at-wcsu-alex-shapiro-discovered-his-ultimate-job-and-his-eventual-wife\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alex-and-Lisa-Shapiro_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"At WCSU, Alex Shapiro discovered his ultimate job and his eventual wife\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot.jpg\",\"title\":\"Michelle Young takes her nursing career to its highest level  by pursuing a WCSU DNP degree\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Michelle Young takes her nursing career to its highest level  by pursuing a WCSU DNP degree\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Working in an academic institution, lifelong learning is really important. The DNP is a terminal degree and will be the highpoint of my professional track. My MSN gave me my clinical knowledge, and my DNP will give me leadership expertise. To those who are considering it, just get started.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/02\\\/michelle-young-takes-her-nursing-career-to-its-highest-level-by-pursuing-a-wcsu-dnp-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":\"WCSU\",\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot.jpg\",\"index\":92,\"id\":791,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Working in an academic institution, lifelong learning is really important. The DNP is a terminal degree and will be the highpoint of my professional track. My MSN gave me my clinical knowledge, and my DNP will give me leadership expertise. To those who are considering it, just get started.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/02\\\/michelle-young-takes-her-nursing-career-to-its-highest-level-by-pursuing-a-wcsu-dnp-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Young_headshot-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Michelle Young takes her nursing career to its highest level  by pursuing a WCSU DNP degree\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1.jpg\",\"title\":\"Sundance and SXSW film festival award winner Phoebe Jane Hart found her passion at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Sundance and SXSW film festival award winner Phoebe Jane Hart found her passion at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Coming to WCSU when I did, I realized how much school can do for you if you take advantage of it. If you really use all the resources available to you, it can change your life.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/20\\\/sundance-and-sxsw-film-festival-award-winner-phoebe-jane-hart-found-her-passion-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1.jpg\",\"index\":93,\"id\":784,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Coming to WCSU when I did, I realized how much school can do for you if you take advantage of it. If you really use all the resources available to you, it can change your life.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/20\\\/sundance-and-sxsw-film-festival-award-winner-phoebe-jane-hart-found-her-passion-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bug-diner-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Sundance and SXSW film festival award winner Phoebe Jane Hart found her passion at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Ismael Ricardo paid forward the good advice he received as a student by becoming a tutor to his peers\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-scaled.jpeg\",\"alt\":\"Ismael Ricardo paid forward the good advice he received as a student by becoming a tutor to his peers\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;What made me decide to go to WCSU was the opportunity to stay local and make an impact in the school that&rsquo;s in the community I grew up in.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/19\\\/ismael-ricardo-paid-forward-the-good-advice-he-received-as-a-student-by-becoming-a-tutor-to-his-peers\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-150x150.jpeg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-300x200.jpeg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-768x512.jpeg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-1024x682.jpeg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-1536x1024.jpeg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-2048x1365.jpeg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-940x198.jpeg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-272x182.jpeg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo.jpeg\",\"index\":94,\"id\":779,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;What made me decide to go to WCSU was the opportunity to stay local and make an impact in the school that&rsquo;s in the community I grew up in.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/19\\\/ismael-ricardo-paid-forward-the-good-advice-he-received-as-a-student-by-becoming-a-tutor-to-his-peers\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ismael-Ricardo-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Ismael Ricardo paid forward the good advice he received as a student by becoming a tutor to his peers\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Isabelle Molteni earns CTABA Award on way to obtaining her ABA degree\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Isabelle Molteni earns CTABA Award on way to obtaining her ABA degree\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Since there are a handful of professors, they really get to know each of their students, and they want their students to succeed. I also thought the content was very impactful on the clinical side of the field, and I was able to apply a lot of this material when discussing potential interventions with my supervisor.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/19\\\/isabelle-molteni-earns-ctaba-award-on-way-to-obtaining-her-aba-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300-300x174.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":95,\"id\":778,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Since there are a handful of professors, they really get to know each of their students, and they want their students to succeed. I also thought the content was very impactful on the clinical side of the field, and I was able to apply a lot of this material when discussing potential interventions with my supervisor.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/19\\\/isabelle-molteni-earns-ctaba-award-on-way-to-obtaining-her-aba-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabelle-Molteni_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Isabelle Molteni earns CTABA Award on way to obtaining her ABA degree\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1.jpg\",\"title\":\"Melo Goulbourne found what he was looking for and more at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Melo Goulbourne found what he was looking for and more at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Reflecting on my journey, I owe a debt of gratitude to WCSU and, in particular, Dr. Marino, who consistently believed in my potential. WCSU provided me not only with a solid academic foundation, but also the resilience and patience required to navigate the challenges of the law enforcement field.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/19\\\/melo-goulbourne-found-what-he-was-looking-for-and-more-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1.jpg\",\"index\":96,\"id\":777,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Reflecting on my journey, I owe a debt of gratitude to WCSU and, in particular, Dr. Marino, who consistently believed in my potential. WCSU provided me not only with a solid academic foundation, but also the resilience and patience required to navigate the challenges of the law enforcement field.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/19\\\/melo-goulbourne-found-what-he-was-looking-for-and-more-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Melo-Goulbourne-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Melo Goulbourne found what he was looking for and more at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio.jpg\",\"title\":\"Biology student Michael Tambascio&#039;s research is &#039;for the birds&#039;\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Biology student Michael Tambascio&amp;#039;s research is &amp;#039;for the birds&amp;#039;\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I want to make people more aware of bird-building collisions. Not just to point out the problem, but to demonstrate solutions like window covers, blinds, or paint on the windows to break up the reflectivity of the light and clearness of the glass so it isn&rsquo;t as confusing to birds.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/05\\\/biology-students-research-is-for-the-birds\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio.jpg\",\"index\":97,\"id\":708,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I want to make people more aware of bird-building collisions. Not just to point out the problem, but to demonstrate solutions like window covers, blinds, or paint on the windows to break up the reflectivity of the light and clearness of the glass so it isn&rsquo;t as confusing to birds.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/05\\\/biology-students-research-is-for-the-birds\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michael-Tambascio-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Biology student Michael Tambascio&#039;s research is &#039;for the birds&#039;\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan.jpg\",\"title\":\"From Norwalk to NASA: Emma Dolan&rsquo;s WCSU degree helps her reach the stars\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan.jpg\",\"alt\":\"From Norwalk to NASA: Emma Dolan&rsquo;s WCSU degree helps her reach the stars\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I only considered graduate school because of my WCSU professors. My family didn&rsquo;t have higher education beyond a bachelor&rsquo;s degree, and graduate school didn&rsquo;t seem realistic, but because of the encouragement of my professors, I ended up in the Ph.D. in Chemistry program at Boston University.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/news.wcsu.edu\\\/from-norwalk-to-nasa-research\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan-300x173.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan.jpg\",\"index\":98,\"id\":703,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I only considered graduate school because of my WCSU professors. My family didn&rsquo;t have higher education beyond a bachelor&rsquo;s degree, and graduate school didn&rsquo;t seem realistic, but because of the encouragement of my professors, I ended up in the Ph.D. in Chemistry program at Boston University.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/news.wcsu.edu\\\/from-norwalk-to-nasa-research\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emma-Dolan-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"From Norwalk to NASA: Emma Dolan&rsquo;s WCSU degree helps her reach the stars\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan.jpg\",\"title\":\"Meaghan Canavan is WCSU&rsquo;s latest Connecticut Poetry Circuit Poet\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Meaghan Canavan is WCSU&rsquo;s latest Connecticut Poetry Circuit Poet\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WCSU&rsquo;s writing program is why I chose to attend the school. Many universities only offer an English major with some writing classes on the side. But when I saw that Western had a major for it &mdash; along with offering New York residents in-state tuition &mdash; it really felt like a win-win.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/meaghan-canavan-is-wcsus-latest-connecticut-poetry-circuit-poet\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan.jpg\",\"index\":99,\"id\":698,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WCSU&rsquo;s writing program is why I chose to attend the school. Many universities only offer an English major with some writing classes on the side. But when I saw that Western had a major for it &mdash; along with offering New York residents in-state tuition &mdash; it really felt like a win-win.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/meaghan-canavan-is-wcsus-latest-connecticut-poetry-circuit-poet\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Meaghan-Canavan-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Meaghan Canavan is WCSU&rsquo;s latest Connecticut Poetry Circuit Poet\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout.jpg\",\"title\":\"A career in Meteorology is on the horizon for Griffin Evans\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout.jpg\",\"alt\":\"A career in Meteorology is on the horizon for Griffin Evans\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;At Western, I&rsquo;m taking courses in Meteorology and studying what I&rsquo;m working toward: my future. I&rsquo;m good at math, physics and logic, and I&rsquo;ve always had a fascination with weather. It just makes sense.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/a-career-in-meteorology-is-on-the-horizon-for-griffin-evans\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout-300x214.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout-701x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout.jpg\",\"index\":100,\"id\":692,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;At Western, I&rsquo;m taking courses in Meteorology and studying what I&rsquo;m working toward: my future. I&rsquo;m good at math, physics and logic, and I&rsquo;ve always had a fascination with weather. It just makes sense.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/a-career-in-meteorology-is-on-the-horizon-for-griffin-evans\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Griffin-Evans-Eagle-Scout-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"A career in Meteorology is on the horizon for Griffin Evans\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU&rsquo;s M.S. in Integrative Biological Diversity program leads to sweet smell of success for Katie Cunningham\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"WCSU&rsquo;s M.S. in Integrative Biological Diversity program leads to sweet smell of success for Katie Cunningham\",\"caption\":\"Cunningham said she applied to WCSU because it was in her hometown and familiar to her &mdash; only to learn that Professor of Biology Dr. Theodora Pinou, the coordinator of WCSU&rsquo;s Master of Science in Integrative Biological Diversity degree program, studies epibionts on sea turtles. &ldquo;That coincidence solidified my interest in WestConn, and it ended up being the only program I applied to.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/wcsus-m-s-in-integrative-biological-diversity-program-leads-to-sweet-smell-of-success-for-katie-cunningham\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":101,\"id\":688,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"Cunningham said she applied to WCSU because it was in her hometown and familiar to her &mdash; only to learn that Professor of Biology Dr. Theodora Pinou, the coordinator of WCSU&rsquo;s Master of Science in Integrative Biological Diversity degree program, studies epibionts on sea turtles. &ldquo;That coincidence solidified my interest in WestConn, and it ended up being the only program I applied to.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/wcsus-m-s-in-integrative-biological-diversity-program-leads-to-sweet-smell-of-success-for-katie-cunningham\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Katie-Cunningham_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU&rsquo;s M.S. in Integrative Biological Diversity program leads to sweet smell of success for Katie Cunningham\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Austin-Scelzo_500x300-500x300-1.jpg\",\"title\":\"Austin Scelzo&rsquo;s love of music and community leads to recognition as a 2023 Connecticut Arts Hero\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Austin-Scelzo_500x300-500x300-1.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Austin Scelzo&rsquo;s love of music and community leads to recognition as a 2023 Connecticut Arts Hero\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WestConn&rsquo;s Music Ed is a cut above. I&rsquo;ve met so many people in the field who didn&rsquo;t have the same opportunities I had for student-teaching. I benefitted from the variety of classes available to me as a classical music student, such as learning jazz improvisation skills in my classes with Jimmy Greene. 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I&rsquo;ve met so many people in the field who didn&rsquo;t have the same opportunities I had for student-teaching. I benefitted from the variety of classes available to me as a classical music student, such as learning jazz improvisation skills in my classes with Jimmy Greene. A standout for me was Dr. Cory Ganschow, who built community and loved her students.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/austin-scelzos-love-of-music-and-community-leads-to-recognition-as-a-2023-connecticut-arts-hero\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Austin-Scelzo_500x300-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Austin Scelzo&rsquo;s love of music and community leads to recognition as a 2023 Connecticut Arts Hero\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029.jpg\",\"title\":\"Sundance Film Festival winner Phoebe Jane Hart found her passion at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Sundance Film Festival winner Phoebe Jane Hart found her passion at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"Hart said that since her January Sundance win, she&rsquo;s receiving &ldquo;tons of emails&rdquo; from other festivals, producers, agents, PR people and others who want to work with her. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s exciting. WestConn really changed my life.&rdquo;\\n\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/28\\\/sundance-film-festival-award-winner-phoebe-jane-hart-found-her-passion-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-2048x1366.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029.jpg\",\"index\":103,\"id\":680,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"Hart said that since her January Sundance win, she&rsquo;s receiving &ldquo;tons of emails&rdquo; from other festivals, producers, agents, PR people and others who want to work with her. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s exciting. WestConn really changed my life.&rdquo;\\n\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/28\\\/sundance-film-festival-award-winner-phoebe-jane-hart-found-her-passion-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/door_001_06_X1_0029-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Sundance Film Festival winner Phoebe Jane Hart found her passion at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop.jpg\",\"title\":\"JLA student Uche Aja eyes public policy work as a future attorney\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop.jpg\",\"alt\":\"JLA student Uche Aja eyes public policy work as a future attorney\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I&rsquo;m proud to have led this initiative on campus. It has inspired me to see things from a different perspective, while enabling me to succeed on behalf of a good cause.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/jla-student-uche-aja-eyes-public-policy-work-as-a-future-attorney\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop-300x274.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop-768x701.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop.jpg\",\"index\":104,\"id\":676,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I&rsquo;m proud to have led this initiative on campus. It has inspired me to see things from a different perspective, while enabling me to succeed on behalf of a good cause.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/04\\\/jla-student-uche-aja-eyes-public-policy-work-as-a-future-attorney\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Uche-Aja_crop-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"JLA student Uche Aja eyes public policy work as a future attorney\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042.jpg\",\"title\":\"Destined to excel: From Eagle Scout to Music Education major, Sarah Seo makes the most of her opportunities\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Destined to excel: From Eagle Scout to Music Education major, Sarah Seo makes the most of her opportunities\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;For the first time in my life, I have a private lesson teacher, Belinda Whitney. She&rsquo;s been on Broadway and in some of the biggest movies I know, and it&rsquo;s so cool that she&rsquo;s working with me! Now I&rsquo;m really learning technique and things I had not learned before.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/21\\\/from-eagle-scout-to-music-education-major-sarah-seo-makes-the-most-of-her-opportunities\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":\"WCSU\",\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042.jpg\",\"index\":105,\"id\":665,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;For the first time in my life, I have a private lesson teacher, Belinda Whitney. She&rsquo;s been on Broadway and in some of the biggest movies I know, and it&rsquo;s so cool that she&rsquo;s working with me! Now I&rsquo;m really learning technique and things I had not learned before.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/21\\\/from-eagle-scout-to-music-education-major-sarah-seo-makes-the-most-of-her-opportunities\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/eaglescout_500x300_DSC8042-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Destined to excel: From Eagle Scout to Music Education major, Sarah Seo makes the most of her opportunities\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus George Psarofagis finds recipe for business success at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Alumnus George Psarofagis finds recipe for business success at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The education was worth it. I can have open and competent conversations with my accountant and complete understanding in my interactions with suppliers. I appreciate the way those who came before me ran the business, but you don&rsquo;t have to do it the hard way. My education at WCSU allows me to take a more refined approach.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/20\\\/george-psarofagis-finds-recipe-for-business-success-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1700149469\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300.jpg\",\"index\":106,\"id\":659,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The education was worth it. I can have open and competent conversations with my accountant and complete understanding in my interactions with suppliers. I appreciate the way those who came before me ran the business, but you don&rsquo;t have to do it the hard way. My education at WCSU allows me to take a more refined approach.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/20\\\/george-psarofagis-finds-recipe-for-business-success-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/George-Psarofagis_500x300-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus George Psarofagis finds recipe for business success at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen.jpg\",\"title\":\"Tracey Dolan enhances a 30+ year career with the addition of a WCSU M.H.A.\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Tracey Dolan enhances a 30+ year career with the addition of a WCSU M.H.A.\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;This will enhance my ability to understand my role as it relates to every other component of health care. The course work includes strategic planning, financial analysis and more. It helps demonstrate how all the different departments work together at a hospital or in health care in general. Having all these years behind me and my experience combined with the M.H.A. ties it all together nicely. It gives me a deeper dive on how complex our health care system really is.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/16\\\/tracey-dolan-enhances-a-30-year-career-with-the-addition-of-a-wcsu-m-h-a\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen-600x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen.jpg\",\"index\":107,\"id\":654,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;This will enhance my ability to understand my role as it relates to every other component of health care. 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It gives me a deeper dive on how complex our health care system really is.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/16\\\/tracey-dolan-enhances-a-30-year-career-with-the-addition-of-a-wcsu-m-h-a\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Tracey-Dolan-with-Yaseen-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Tracey Dolan enhances a 30+ year career with the addition of a WCSU M.H.A.\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image.jpg\",\"title\":\"&lsquo;20 Under 40 Leadership Award&rsquo; is latest recognition for Corey Paris\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"&lsquo;20 Under 40 Leadership Award&rsquo; is latest recognition for Corey Paris\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Embracing the role of WCSU student body president allowed me to cultivate resilience, diplomacy and a genuine understanding of the diverse needs within our academic community. Through countless challenges and triumphs, I learned the art of listening, the importance of collaboration, and the power of advocacy.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/09\\\/20-under-40-leadership-award-is-latest-recognition-for-wcsu-alumnus\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-2048x1366.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image.jpg\",\"index\":108,\"id\":646,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Embracing the role of WCSU student body president allowed me to cultivate resilience, diplomacy and a genuine understanding of the diverse needs within our academic community. Through countless challenges and triumphs, I learned the art of listening, the importance of collaboration, and the power of advocacy.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/09\\\/20-under-40-leadership-award-is-latest-recognition-for-wcsu-alumnus\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Corey-Paris-official-image-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"&lsquo;20 Under 40 Leadership Award&rsquo; is latest recognition for Corey Paris\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU alumnus Efrain Casillas named Arizona Teacher of the Year\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"WCSU alumnus Efrain Casillas named Arizona Teacher of the Year\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;My time at WCSU taught me to be passionate about my music and continue my willingness to work hard to be successful. Also, all of the skills that my professors gave me prepared me to do a good job as a teacher.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/03\\\/wcsu-alumnus-efrain-casillas-named-arizona-teacher-of-the-year\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-2048x1366.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas.jpg\",\"index\":109,\"id\":637,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;My time at WCSU taught me to be passionate about my music and continue my willingness to work hard to be successful. Also, all of the skills that my professors gave me prepared me to do a good job as a teacher.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/03\\\/wcsu-alumnus-efrain-casillas-named-arizona-teacher-of-the-year\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/EfrainCasillas-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU alumnus Efrain Casillas named Arizona Teacher of the Year\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson.jpg\",\"title\":\"Busy EMT Emily Benson eyes BSN from WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Busy EMT Emily Benson eyes BSN from WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;One of the reasons I wanted to come to WCSU was because I had heard its students have good pass rates on the NCLEX. For me, the test will be very similar to the EMT exam. I&rsquo;m going to do my best and study, and next semester will include a lot of classes to prep for that.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/01\\\/busy-emt-emily-benson-eyes-b-s-n-from-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Emily-Benson.jpg\",\"index\":110,\"id\":631,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;One of the reasons I wanted to come to WCSU was because I had heard its students have good pass rates on the NCLEX. 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The advantage is not graduating from either with significant student loan debt so you can enjoy other areas of your life. I hope students can learn from my experience at WCSU and enjoy the same career success.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/12\\\/stephen-scott-considers-his-wcsu-degree-a-good-investment\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\\nhttps:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/12\\\/stephen-scott-considers-his-wcsu-degree-a-good-investment\\\/\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn-300x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn.jpg\",\"index\":111,\"id\":616,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Even though it had been nearly 15 years since I had graduated from WCSU, the Ancell School of Business has a great reputation and, when coupled with strong work experience, the graduate schools take that into consideration. The advantage is not graduating from either with significant student loan debt so you can enjoy other areas of your life. I hope students can learn from my experience at WCSU and enjoy the same career success.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/12\\\/stephen-scott-considers-his-wcsu-degree-a-good-investment\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\\nhttps:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/12\\\/stephen-scott-considers-his-wcsu-degree-a-good-investment\\\/\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Stephen-Scott-LinkedIn-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Banking executive Stephen Scott considers his WCSU degree a good investment\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna reflects on importance of WCSU education in her life\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Alumna reflects on importance of WCSU education in her life\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I believe my story is proof that WCSU was an important link in my life, and my education there has benefited numerous groups of people, as well as enriched and encouraged my life&rsquo;s path.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/26\\\/alumna-reflects-on-importance-of-wcsu-education-in-her-life\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey-208x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey-493x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey.jpg\",\"index\":112,\"id\":604,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I believe my story is proof that WCSU was an important link in my life, and my education there has benefited numerous groups of people, as well as enriched and encouraged my life&rsquo;s path.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/26\\\/alumna-reflects-on-importance-of-wcsu-education-in-her-life\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Dorothy-Killackey-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna reflects on importance of WCSU education in her life\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi.jpg\",\"title\":\"Newly seated Connecticut Superior Court Judge Thomas Saadi is a WCSU alumnus\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Newly seated Connecticut Superior Court Judge Thomas Saadi is a WCSU alumnus\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Professionally, I draw from experiences as an Agency Commissioner, former Assistant Attorney General and special prosecutor and as an Army lawyer practicing in both operational and administrative environments.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/25\\\/connecticut-superior-court-judge-thomas-saadi-is-a-wcsu-alumnus&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-2048x1366.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi.jpg\",\"index\":113,\"id\":599,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;Professionally, I draw from experiences as an Agency Commissioner, former Assistant Attorney General and special prosecutor and as an Army lawyer practicing in both operational and administrative environments.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/25\\\/connecticut-superior-court-judge-thomas-saadi-is-a-wcsu-alumnus&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Judge-Saadi-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Newly seated Connecticut Superior Court Judge Thomas Saadi is a WCSU alumnus\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel.jpg\",\"title\":\"Faculty advice, leadership and study-abroad opportunities led to law degree for Shiny Patel\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Faculty advice, leadership and study-abroad opportunities led to law degree for Shiny Patel\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU is highly affordable and also highly underrated. The professors are brilliant, the faculty are kind and approachable, and the students are diligent and human. I felt like I got a real human experience at WCSU. If you want quick access to high-value opportunities, a small school is a great way to do it. The student-teacher ratio provides for a more intimate classroom experience and the ability to get to know your peers better. &&#163;34; &lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/07\\\/17\\\/faculty-advice-leadership-and-study-abroad-opportunities-led-to-law-degree-for-first-generation-student-from-danbury\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel-300x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel-600x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel.jpg\",\"index\":114,\"id\":591,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU is highly affordable and also highly underrated. The professors are brilliant, the faculty are kind and approachable, and the students are diligent and human. I felt like I got a real human experience at WCSU. If you want quick access to high-value opportunities, a small school is a great way to do it. The student-teacher ratio provides for a more intimate classroom experience and the ability to get to know your peers better. &&#163;34; &lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/07\\\/17\\\/faculty-advice-leadership-and-study-abroad-opportunities-led-to-law-degree-for-first-generation-student-from-danbury\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shiny-Patel-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Faculty advice, leadership and study-abroad opportunities led to law degree for Shiny Patel\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent.jpg\",\"title\":\"Ernst &amp; Young opportunity awaits 2023 WCSU graduate Daniel Vincent\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Ernst &amp;amp; Young opportunity awaits 2023 WCSU graduate Daniel Vincent\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I initially enrolled at UConn to study engineering, and I didn&rsquo;t love it. I took some time off and transferred to WCSU and decided to study MIS. What I found when I got here was that WCSU is all about fostering relationships between students and professors. There is a very close connection with the staff, and a lot of people here have helped me.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/05\\\/08\\\/ernst-young-opportunity-awaits-2023-wcsu-graduate-daniel-vincent\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-300x200.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-768x512.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-1024x683.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-1536x1024.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-2048x1366.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent.jpg\",\"index\":115,\"id\":573,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I initially enrolled at UConn to study engineering, and I didn&rsquo;t love it. I took some time off and transferred to WCSU and decided to study MIS. What I found when I got here was that WCSU is all about fostering relationships between students and professors. There is a very close connection with the staff, and a lot of people here have helped me.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/05\\\/08\\\/ernst-young-opportunity-awaits-2023-wcsu-graduate-daniel-vincent\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daniel-Vincent-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Ernst &amp; Young opportunity awaits 2023 WCSU graduate Daniel Vincent\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2.jpg\",\"title\":\"Class of 2023 graduate Angelo Natalie, former &lsquo;Barney&rsquo; songwriter, finally attains a bachelor&rsquo;s degree at age 71\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Class of 2023 graduate Angelo Natalie, former &lsquo;Barney&rsquo; songwriter, finally attains a bachelor&rsquo;s degree at age 71\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I just keep on learning new things. Not for a single day have I walked away from my classes here without learning something of value. When you stop learning, you start declining. With my amazing professors at WCSU, I have learned so much. I&rsquo;m sincerely grateful to them.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/05\\\/02\\\/class-of-2023-graduate-angelo-natalie-former-barney-songwriter-finally-attains-a-bachelors-degree-at-age-71\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2-200x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2-563x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2.jpg\",\"index\":116,\"id\":569,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I just keep on learning new things. Not for a single day have I walked away from my classes here without learning something of value. When you stop learning, you start declining. With my amazing professors at WCSU, I have learned so much. I&rsquo;m sincerely grateful to them.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/05\\\/02\\\/class-of-2023-graduate-angelo-natalie-former-barney-songwriter-finally-attains-a-bachelors-degree-at-age-71\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Angelo-Natalie2-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Class of 2023 graduate Angelo Natalie, former &lsquo;Barney&rsquo; songwriter, finally attains a bachelor&rsquo;s degree at age 71\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy.jpg\",\"title\":\"Sandcastle kit creates a kingdom for WCSU alumnus Kevin Lane after &lsquo;Shark Tank&rsquo; appearance\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Sandcastle kit creates a kingdom for WCSU alumnus Kevin Lane after &lsquo;Shark Tank&rsquo; appearance\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The design skills that my WCSU art instructors taught me are the foundation that translated into Create a Castle. Anyone considering college should absolutely save your money and go to WCSU. It&rsquo;s just as good as any college or rival school in this realm. You don&rsquo;t have to go to Harvard or Yale &mdash; you can accomplish it at WCSU.&rdquo;\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/03\\\/sandcastle-kit-creates-a-kingdom-for-wcsu-alumnus-kevin-lane-after-shark-tank-appearance\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-214x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-768x1075.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-732x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-1097x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-1463x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy.jpg\",\"index\":117,\"id\":562,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The design skills that my WCSU art instructors taught me are the foundation that translated into Create a Castle. Anyone considering college should absolutely save your money and go to WCSU. It&rsquo;s just as good as any college or rival school in this realm. You don&rsquo;t have to go to Harvard or Yale &mdash; you can accomplish it at WCSU.&rdquo;\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/04\\\/03\\\/sandcastle-kit-creates-a-kingdom-for-wcsu-alumnus-kevin-lane-after-shark-tank-appearance\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DSC3405-copy-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Sandcastle kit creates a kingdom for WCSU alumnus Kevin Lane after &lsquo;Shark Tank&rsquo; appearance\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona.jpg\",\"title\":\"A chance conversation with a high school administrator brought alumnus Luis Corona to WCSU on the way to a rewarding MIS career\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"A chance conversation with a high school administrator brought alumnus Luis Corona to WCSU on the way to a rewarding MIS career\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;A strong point in WCSU&rsquo;s MIS program is that many of the professors and adjunct professors have real-world experience and spent time as professionals in the workforce. I think that the real-world experience that they provide really helps put into perspective how the things you are learning will be applicable to a job after you graduate.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/23\\\/a-chance-conversation-brought-luis-corona-to-wcsu-on-the-way-to-a-rewarding-mis-career\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-240x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-768x960.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-819x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-1229x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-1638x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona.jpg\",\"index\":118,\"id\":557,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;A strong point in WCSU&rsquo;s MIS program is that many of the professors and adjunct professors have real-world experience and spent time as professionals in the workforce. I think that the real-world experience that they provide really helps put into perspective how the things you are learning will be applicable to a job after you graduate.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/23\\\/a-chance-conversation-brought-luis-corona-to-wcsu-on-the-way-to-a-rewarding-mis-career\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luis-Corona-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"A chance conversation with a high school administrator brought alumnus Luis Corona to WCSU on the way to a rewarding MIS career\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith.jpg\",\"title\":\"Strong support system, &lsquo;parking lot talks&rsquo; and determination ensured law school success for alumnus Raneil Smith\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Strong support system, &lsquo;parking lot talks&rsquo; and determination ensured law school success for alumnus Raneil Smith\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I talked with Professor Dwyer as much as I could as we walked from class to our cars. He had a huge impact on my life and his belief in me gave me inspiration and kept my dream alive. When I was having a tough day at UConn Law School, he would tell me he wouldn&rsquo;t allow me to quit. He was just as emotionally invested in my vision as I was.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/15\\\/strong-support-system-parking-lot-talks-and-determination-ensured-law-school-success-for-alumnus-raneil-smith\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith-300x206.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith-768x528.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith-800x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith.jpg\",\"index\":119,\"id\":533,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I talked with Professor Dwyer as much as I could as we walked from class to our cars. He had a huge impact on my life and his belief in me gave me inspiration and kept my dream alive. When I was having a tough day at UConn Law School, he would tell me he wouldn&rsquo;t allow me to quit. He was just as emotionally invested in my vision as I was.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/15\\\/strong-support-system-parking-lot-talks-and-determination-ensured-law-school-success-for-alumnus-raneil-smith\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Raneil-Smith-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Strong support system, &lsquo;parking lot talks&rsquo; and determination ensured law school success for alumnus Raneil Smith\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine.jpg\",\"title\":\"Change in direction brought Rachael Levine to WCSU on road to law school\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Change in direction brought Rachael Levine to WCSU on road to law school\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Take advantage of the opportunities that WCSU provides with the relief of knowing that you won&rsquo;t come out of college in massive student debt. Don&rsquo;t believe that being at a smaller state school could possibly prevent you from pursuing your law degree. Quite to the contrary, the support you receive at WCSU could actually be what sets you apart from the masses of applicants to law schools. From the quality of the classes to the encouragement from the faculty, WCSU will get you far.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/13\\\/change-in-direction-brings-rachael-levine-to-wcsu-on-road-to-law-school\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"4\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"NIKON D600\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1633019868\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"44\",\"iso\":\"320\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0025\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-276x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-768x836.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-941x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-1412x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine.jpg\",\"index\":120,\"id\":524,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Take advantage of the opportunities that WCSU provides with the relief of knowing that you won&rsquo;t come out of college in massive student debt. Don&rsquo;t believe that being at a smaller state school could possibly prevent you from pursuing your law degree. Quite to the contrary, the support you receive at WCSU could actually be what sets you apart from the masses of applicants to law schools. From the quality of the classes to the encouragement from the faculty, WCSU will get you far.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/13\\\/change-in-direction-brings-rachael-levine-to-wcsu-on-road-to-law-school\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rachael-Levine-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Change in direction brought Rachael Levine to WCSU on road to law school\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Desire to help others led Elaina Layden to earn B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-scaled.jpeg\",\"alt\":\"Desire to help others led Elaina Layden to earn B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I was able to take the things ABA taught me and apply it to my practice as a licensed trauma therapist working with people with Autism, ADHD, and other mental health disorders. It helps me to better understand the function of the behaviors of my clients, how to improve positive behaviors and decrease maladaptive behaviors, and how to better help my clients express their feelings and behaviors with their parents. It helps me to better understand why clients engage in the behaviors they engage in and how I can best help them.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/10\\\/desire-to-help-others-led-elaina-layden-to-earn-b-a-in-psychology-and-m-s-in-applied-behavior-analysis-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-150x150.jpeg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-240x300.jpeg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-768x960.jpeg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-819x1024.jpeg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-1229x1536.jpeg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-1638x2048.jpeg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-940x198.jpeg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-272x182.jpeg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden.jpeg\",\"index\":121,\"id\":511,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I was able to take the things ABA taught me and apply it to my practice as a licensed trauma therapist working with people with Autism, ADHD, and other mental health disorders. It helps me to better understand the function of the behaviors of my clients, how to improve positive behaviors and decrease maladaptive behaviors, and how to better help my clients express their feelings and behaviors with their parents. It helps me to better understand why clients engage in the behaviors they engage in and how I can best help them.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/10\\\/desire-to-help-others-led-elaina-layden-to-earn-b-a-in-psychology-and-m-s-in-applied-behavior-analysis-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Elaina-Layden-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Desire to help others led Elaina Layden to earn B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano.jpg\",\"title\":\"Introduction to JLA class sets Rute Mendes Caetano on path to a law degree\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Introduction to JLA class sets Rute Mendes Caetano on path to a law degree\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The JLA program was a great preparation for law school. I knew what briefing a case meant, and had a great general understanding of underlying legal concepts from the classes WCSU offered me. All of that, I think, is a testament to the caliber of WCSU&rsquo;s JLA Division and its professors, which allows for a lot of student connections.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/03\\\/02\\\/introduction-to-justice-and-law-class-sets-alumna-on-a-path-to-law-degree\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-282x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-768x816.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-963x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-1445x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-1926x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rute-Mendes-Caetano.jpg\",\"index\":122,\"id\":502,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The JLA program was a great preparation for law school. I knew what briefing a case meant, and had a great general understanding of underlying legal concepts from the classes WCSU offered me. 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What really sealed the deal was an offer to be part of the Ancell Honors program, which would give me the chance to graduate in three years.&rdquo; \\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/02\\\/24\\\/networking-skills-trusting-his-instincts-have-taken-steve-scebelo-to-the-top-of-his-marketing-game\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-240x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-768x960.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-819x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-1229x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-1638x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo.jpg\",\"index\":123,\"id\":495,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;One of the primary reasons I landed at WCSU will sound familiar to a lot of past and present students: cost, and the ability to get a quality education at a fair price. What really sealed the deal was an offer to be part of the Ancell Honors program, which would give me the chance to graduate in three years.&rdquo; \\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/02\\\/24\\\/networking-skills-trusting-his-instincts-have-taken-steve-scebelo-to-the-top-of-his-marketing-game\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Steven-Scebelo-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Networking skills, trusting his instincts have taken Steve Scebelo to the top of his marketing game\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gizmo-Rivera.jpg\",\"title\":\"Confidence, communication and computer skills gained at WCSU enabled Gizmo Rivera to build an award-winning Visual Effects career in LA\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Gizmo-Rivera-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Confidence, communication and computer skills gained at WCSU enabled Gizmo Rivera to build an award-winning Visual Effects career in LA\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Attending WCSU gave me the foundation to be successful in a very competitive industry, Visual Effects. ... After graduating, I had the confidence and the tools to compete, and build a career in the entertainment and film industry. 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After graduating, I had the confidence and the tools to compete, and build a career in the entertainment and film industry. 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They want you to succeed and everyone is willing to help you because they care. I was so vulnerable at that point in my life, and the faculty gave me so much reassurance. No matter how hard things are, someone at WCSU will help you figure it out.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/25\\\/wcsu-alumnus-overcame-health-setback-as-student-through-resilience-support\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/pcc-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"As a student, alumnus Jonathan Dator overcame  a serious health setback through resilience, support\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mallory-Knutson4.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Childhood dream  results in recognition as  Seymour Teacher of the Year for alumna Mallory Knutson\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mallory-Knutson4.jpeg\",\"alt\":\"Childhood dream of becoming an educator results in recognition as  Seymour Teacher of the Year for alumna Mallory Knutson\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Attending WCSU will change your life, and for the best! 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It is the perfect place to develop lifelong friendships and relationships, and to challenge yourself academically and gain valuable learning experience. It is a great opportunity for athletes to still play competitively and it is a great place to foster independence and allow you to grow individually. Attending WCSU has really been one of the best decisions I ever made.&&#163;34; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/12\\\/childhood-dream-results-in-recognition-as-seymour-teacher-of-the-year-for-alumna-mallory-knutson\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Mallory-Knutson4-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Childhood dream  results in recognition as  Seymour Teacher of the Year for alumna Mallory Knutson\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabella-Bullock2.jpg\",\"title\":\"&lsquo;Lane change&rsquo; leads to selection as a Connecticut Collegiate Poet for student Isabella Bullock\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabella-Bullock2.jpg\",\"alt\":\"&lsquo;Lane change&rsquo; leads to selection as a Connecticut Collegiate Poet for student Isabella Bullock\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I love where I am now. 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I didn&rsquo;t expect to love WCSU as much as I do. I&rsquo;ve learned so much and I appreciate my school and my professors.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/06\\\/lane-change-leads-to-selection-as-a-connecticut-collegiate-poet-for-student-isabella-bullock\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Isabella-Bullock2-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"&lsquo;Lane change&rsquo; leads to selection as a Connecticut Collegiate Poet for student Isabella Bullock\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop.png\",\"title\":\"Financial accounting career provides its own kind of adrenaline for Kevin Tirella\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop.png\",\"alt\":\"Financial accounting career provides its own kind of adrenaline for alumnus Kevin Tirella\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;At a bigger school without the relationships I was able to develop with my professors, I probably never would&rsquo;ve become a CPA. That&rsquo;s how I got to where I am.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/29\\\/financial-accounting-career-provides-its-own-kind-of-adrenaline-for-oxford-resident\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop-75x50_c.png\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop-150x150.png\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop-300x273.png\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop.png\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop.png\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop.png\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop.png\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop-450x198.png\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop-272x182.png\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Kevin-Tirella-crop.png\",\"index\":128,\"id\":290,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;At a bigger school without the relationships I was able to develop with my professors, I probably never would&rsquo;ve become a CPA. 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Reach for it.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/09\\\/2023-d-c-teacher-of-the-year-jermar-rountree-found-his-calling-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait-300x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait-767x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait.jpg\",\"index\":129,\"id\":237,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Pay attention to who is pointing you in the right direction and showing you love. There is nothing you can&rsquo;t reach for if you keep your mind open. Reach for it.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/09\\\/2023-d-c-teacher-of-the-year-jermar-rountree-found-his-calling-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Rountree-portrait-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"2023 D.C. Teacher of the Year Jermar Rountree found his calling at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy.jpg\",\"title\":\"The choice to pay it forward came easily to alumnus Renan Max F. Hamoy\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy.jpg\",\"alt\":\"The choice to pay it forward came easily to alumnus Renan Max F. Hamoy\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I use the skills I was taught at WCSU in my job at Synchrony now. This position requires a technology and business mix.&&#163;34;\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/02\\\/the-choice-to-pay-it-forward-came-easily-to-alumnus-renan-max-f-hamoy\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy-300x185.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy.jpg\",\"index\":130,\"id\":231,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;I use the skills I was taught at WCSU in my job at Synchrony now. This position requires a technology and business mix.&&#163;34;\\n\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/02\\\/the-choice-to-pay-it-forward-came-easily-to-alumnus-renan-max-f-hamoy\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/MaxHamoy-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"The choice to pay it forward came easily to alumnus Renan Max F. 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It was also attractive because it would provide me with access to Ph.D.-level professors teaching both labs and classes, and they hold office hours themselves.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/10\\\/first-generation-alumna-takes-interest-in-science-to-ph-d-in-toxicology\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-300x275.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-768x703.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-1024x937.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-1536x1406.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-2048x1874.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko.jpg\",\"index\":131,\"id\":226,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;WCSU was much more affordable, and I could save money by commuting. It was also attractive because it would provide me with access to Ph.D.-level professors teaching both labs and classes, and they hold office hours themselves.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/10\\\/first-generation-alumna-takes-interest-in-science-to-ph-d-in-toxicology\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Baisch-Enko-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"First-generation alumna Brittany Baisch takes interest in science to Ph.D. in Toxicology\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bri-Anna-Caberson5-crop.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Bri-Anna Caberson finds artistic freedom, benefit from WCSU DIMA degree\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bri-Anna-Caberson5-crop.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Alumna Bri-Anna Caberson finds artistic freedom, benefit from WCSU DIMA degree (Photo credit: Alejandro Lazare)\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;There were no roadblocks, no restrictions. I was able to dive right in and have freedom in my artistic expression. 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I was able to dive right in and have freedom in my artistic expression. 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I was always asking questions, utilizing the faculty office hours. ... 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I wanted to be a part of that, and I have never once regretted my decision to attend WCSU.&rdquo;  \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/20\\\/divergent-paths-lead-to-juris-doctors-for-siblings-antonio-and-george-fernandes\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252.jpg\",\"index\":136,\"id\":167,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I remember driving by WCSU as a child many times and wondering what people were learning in the buildings and where they would go after they received that education. I wanted to be a part of that, and I have never once regretted my decision to attend WCSU.&rdquo;  \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/20\\\/divergent-paths-lead-to-juris-doctors-for-siblings-antonio-and-george-fernandes\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JLA-Fernandes-brothers-ventura-law_2252-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Divergent paths lead to Juris Doctors for brothers George and Tony Fernandes\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story.jpg\",\"title\":\"Service-learning opportunities spark educational, career goals for alumna Ana Mendieta\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Service-learning opportunities spark educational, career goals for Ana Mendieta\",\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;As a first-generation student, I appreciated the emphasis on the value of getting involved for the greater good. WCSU sparked an interest in service learning in me.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/10\\\/social-science-classes-service-learning-opportunities-spark-educational-career-goals-for-first-generation-wcsu-alumna\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story-300x225.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story-640x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story.jpg\",\"index\":137,\"id\":162,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&&#163;34;As a first-generation student, I appreciated the emphasis on the value of getting involved for the greater good. WCSU sparked an interest in service learning in me.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/10\\\/social-science-classes-service-learning-opportunities-spark-educational-career-goals-for-first-generation-wcsu-alumna\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Ana-Mendieta-Success-Story-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Service-learning opportunities spark educational, career goals for alumna Ana Mendieta\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories.jpg\",\"title\":\"&lsquo;Magic&rsquo; being made in Torrington schools, thanks to Music Education alumnae Ashlee Hyatt and Michelle Castellano\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories.jpg\",\"alt\":\"&lsquo;Magic&rsquo; being made in Torrington schools, thanks to Music Education alumnae Ashlee Hyatt and Michelle Castellano\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The WCSU [music] program is so good, that we continue to hire WCSU graduates in Torrington.&&#163;34; ... &ldquo;If you want a high-quality education without paying the high cost of a private college, go to WCSU. The quality of the education can&rsquo;t be matched.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/03\\\/magic-being-made-in-torrington-schools-thanks-to-award-winning-wcsu-music-education-graduates\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories-300x225.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories-640x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Castellano-and-Hyatt-Success-Stories.jpg\",\"index\":138,\"id\":153,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The WCSU [music] program is so good, that we continue to hire WCSU graduates in Torrington.&&#163;34; ... &ldquo;If you want a high-quality education without paying the high cost of a private college, go to WCSU. 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Professors like Dr. Stephen Ward, Dr. Averell Manes and Dr. Rob Whittemore expanded my world view significantly.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/27\\\/wcsu-alumna-finds-bridge-to-successful-ctdot-career\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"1.8\",\"credit\":\"JAMIE BANNON_\",\"camera\":\"NIKON Z 7_2\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1657545964\",\"copyright\":\"JAMIE BANNON\",\"focal_length\":\"85\",\"iso\":\"100\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.00125\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-300x210.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-768x538.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-1024x717.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-1536x1075.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-2048x1434.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite.jpg\",\"index\":140,\"id\":134,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;My anthropology and social sciences classes at WCSU opened my eyes to things I had never experienced or learned growing up. Professors like Dr. Stephen Ward, Dr. Averell Manes and Dr. Rob Whittemore expanded my world view significantly.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/27\\\/wcsu-alumna-finds-bridge-to-successful-ctdot-career\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Alicia-Leite-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Alicia Leite finds bridge to successful CTDOT career\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Monique Daley developed her appetite for advocacy at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Alumna Monique Daley developed her appetite for advocacy at WCSU\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I had immigrated from Jamaica for high school and seeing so many people of color as administrators at a smaller university like WCSU really helped shape some and offset other situations. I could see the years of work by people of color to activate change on campus, which gave me a strong background in advocacy right from the start.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/06\\\/wheeler-healths-diversity-officer-monique-daley-developed-her-appetite-for-advocacy-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley-300x225.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley-640x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley.jpg\",\"index\":141,\"id\":127,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I had immigrated from Jamaica for high school and seeing so many people of color as administrators at a smaller university like WCSU really helped shape some and offset other situations. I could see the years of work by people of color to activate change on campus, which gave me a strong background in advocacy right from the start.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/06\\\/wheeler-healths-diversity-officer-monique-daley-developed-her-appetite-for-advocacy-at-wcsu\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daley-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Monique Daley developed her appetite for advocacy at WCSU\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden.jpg\",\"title\":\"Managerial Accounting degree builds foundation for successful career for alumnus Luke Holden\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-scaled.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Luke Holden\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Another thing that separated me from other job candidates upon graduation was my ability to adapt, because at the Ancell School I learned accounting, fraud, business development and marketing as part of my Managerial Accounting degree.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/managerial-accounting-degree-builds-foundation-for-successful-project-accounting-career\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null,\"resized_images\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-225x300.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-768x1024.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-768x1024.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-1152x1536.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-1536x2048.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden.jpg\",\"index\":142,\"id\":116,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Another thing that separated me from other job candidates upon graduation was my ability to adapt, because at the Ancell School I learned accounting, fraud, business development and marketing as part of my Managerial Accounting degree.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/managerial-accounting-degree-builds-foundation-for-successful-project-accounting-career\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Luke-Holden-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Managerial Accounting degree builds foundation for successful career for alumnus Luke Holden\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus Jeff DiStasio leads Google&#039;s Cloud Security sales team\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Jeff DiStasio\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Those years of hands-on, real-world experience that I acquired as a student worker at WCSU were a huge springboard. It helped me differentiate myself.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/30\\\/how-a-wcsu-alumnus-ended-up-leading-googles-cloud-security-sales-team-differentiate-yourself-and-build-a-life-beyond-your-dreams\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio.jpg\",\"index\":143,\"id\":113,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Those years of hands-on, real-world experience that I acquired as a student worker at WCSU were a huge springboard. It helped me differentiate myself.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/30\\\/how-a-wcsu-alumnus-ended-up-leading-googles-cloud-security-sales-team-differentiate-yourself-and-build-a-life-beyond-your-dreams\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/JeffDiStasio-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus Jeff DiStasio leads Google&#039;s Cloud Security sales team\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus Eric Holley launches successful dual careers from strengths in communication and sports\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Eric Holley\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The sports system created the person I am today. I wanted to teach young men to leverage all the opportunities available to them, just as I utilized all of my opportunities as a student-athlete at WCSU.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/29\\\/senior-director-at-mass-mutual-launches-successful-dual-careers-from-strengths-in-communication-and-sports\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball-300x217.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball-768x555.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball-1024x740.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball.jpg\",\"index\":144,\"id\":100,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The sports system created the person I am today. I wanted to teach young men to leverage all the opportunities available to them, just as I utilized all of my opportunities as a student-athlete at WCSU.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/29\\\/senior-director-at-mass-mutual-launches-successful-dual-careers-from-strengths-in-communication-and-sports\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Eric-Holley-basketball-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus Eric Holley launches successful dual careers from strengths in communication and sports\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus Nicolas DiDomizio returns to campus to speak to student writers\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Author Nicolas DiDomizio\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The Writing Department faculty thought it would be invaluable to have Nic speak with our students, including his decision to switch from a corporate career after several years to penning &lsquo;Burn It All Down.&rsquo; There is nothing that hits home more for students than hearing from someone who sat where they are sitting now.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-alumnus-author-returns-to-campus-to-speak-to-student-writers\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1.jpg\",\"index\":145,\"id\":85,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;The Writing Department faculty thought it would be invaluable to have Nic speak with our students, including his decision to switch from a corporate career after several years to penning &lsquo;Burn It All Down.&rsquo; There is nothing that hits home more for students than hearing from someone who sat where they are sitting now.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-alumnus-author-returns-to-campus-to-speak-to-student-writers\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/DiDomizio-N-2021_5985-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus Nicolas DiDomizio returns to campus to speak to student writers\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1.png\",\"title\":\"Student Michelle Rochniak named Connecticut Collegiate Poet\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1.png\",\"alt\":\"Michelle Rochniak\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;At WCSU, I made many new friends, connected with professors and found my poetic voice. I&rsquo;m so grateful that I feel at home in the Writing department, and I&rsquo;m even more grateful that people here appreciate my work and encourage me on a regular basis to continue writing.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-student-named-connecticut-collegiate-poet\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1-75x50_c.png\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1-150x150.png\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1-300x180.png\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1.png\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1.png\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1.png\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1.png\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1-500x198.png\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1-272x182.png\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1.png\",\"index\":146,\"id\":82,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;At WCSU, I made many new friends, connected with professors and found my poetic voice. I&rsquo;m so grateful that I feel at home in the Writing department, and I&rsquo;m even more grateful that people here appreciate my work and encourage me on a regular basis to continue writing.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-student-named-connecticut-collegiate-poet\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Michelle-Rochniak-Student-Poet-Headshot-002-e1643217004713-500x300-1-75x50_c.png\",\"title\":\"Student Michelle Rochniak named Connecticut Collegiate Poet\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus \\\"Hupp\\\" Huppmann sets out to sea to raise awareness of veteran PTSD and suicide\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1.jpeg\",\"alt\":\"&ldquo;Hupp&rdquo; Huppmann at sea\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I used my GI Bill benefits. I went to school every day and had a full-time schedule, and then at night I would take classes online. I am extremely proud to be a graduate of WCSU.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-alumnus-sets-out-to-sea-to-raise-awareness-of-veteran-ptsd-and-suicide\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1-150x150.jpeg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1-300x180.jpeg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1.jpeg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1.jpeg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1.jpeg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1.jpeg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1-500x198.jpeg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1-272x182.jpeg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1.jpeg\",\"index\":147,\"id\":70,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I used my GI Bill benefits. I went to school every day and had a full-time schedule, and then at night I would take classes online. I am extremely proud to be a graduate of WCSU.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-alumnus-sets-out-to-sea-to-raise-awareness-of-veteran-ptsd-and-suicide\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/At-sea-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpeg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus \\\"Hupp\\\" Huppmann sets out to sea to raise awareness of veteran PTSD and suicide\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Kayla Conroy&#039;s web series receives acclaim in festival and award circuit\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Kayla Conroy (center) in a scene from the web series &ldquo;Human Telegraphs.&rdquo;\",\"caption\":\"She notes her experience performing in WCSU&rsquo;s New York City production of &ldquo;Songs for a New World&rdquo; had a profound impact on her future career as an actor and producer. &ldquo;My directors and teachers, including Frank Herbert, Pam McDaniel and Sal Trapani, helped make my time at WCSU an amazing experience.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-alumnas-web-series-receives-acclaim-in-festival-and-award-circuit\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1.jpg\",\"index\":148,\"id\":69,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"She notes her experience performing in WCSU&rsquo;s New York City production of &ldquo;Songs for a New World&rdquo; had a profound impact on her future career as an actor and producer. &ldquo;My directors and teachers, including Frank Herbert, Pam McDaniel and Sal Trapani, helped make my time at WCSU an amazing experience.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-alumnas-web-series-receives-acclaim-in-festival-and-award-circuit\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/KAYLA_apartment-hunt-Lily-Margot-Trisha-500x300-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumna Kayla Conroy&#039;s web series receives acclaim in festival and award circuit\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU&rsquo;s ROI makes it one of the highest value universities in Connecticut: Meteorologist Jacob Wycoff is living proof\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Jacob Wycoff at work\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;During my time at WCSU, I was able to do three separate internships. Two of them used a program called WeatherBug in their weathercast, so I got a chance to test drive the software. Upon graduation, I applied to WeatherBug for a role there, using references I gained during my internship. I ended up getting the position and began working as a meteorologist in Maryland. My role was to work closely with 100+ TV station partners using the WeatherBug software.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsus-roi-makes-it-one-of-the-highest-value-universities-in-connecticut-boston-meteorologist-is-living-proof\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"1.8\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"iPhone XR\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1570486568\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"4.25\",\"iso\":\"160\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0166666666667\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff.jpg\",\"index\":149,\"id\":67,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;During my time at WCSU, I was able to do three separate internships. Two of them used a program called WeatherBug in their weathercast, so I got a chance to test drive the software. Upon graduation, I applied to WeatherBug for a role there, using references I gained during my internship. I ended up getting the position and began working as a meteorologist in Maryland. My role was to work closely with 100+ TV station partners using the WeatherBug software.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsus-roi-makes-it-one-of-the-highest-value-universities-in-connecticut-boston-meteorologist-is-living-proof\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Wycoff-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU&rsquo;s ROI makes it one of the highest value universities in Connecticut: Meteorologist Jacob Wycoff is living proof\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shelby-Davis-40_40-1775.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus Shelby Davis named to prestigious &lsquo;40 under 40&rsquo; list\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shelby-Davis-40_40-1775.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Shelby Davis surrounded by students\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;WCSU built a foundation for my leadership,&rdquo; Davis noted, and his advice for students hoping to attend the university is to &ldquo; keep going &mdash; stick to your dreams, your goals, your vision. 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The road may be long, but you will get there.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/19\\\/wcsu-alumnus-shelby-davis-named-to-prestigious-40-under-40-list\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Shelby-Davis-40_40-1775-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Alumnus Shelby Davis named to prestigious &lsquo;40 under 40&rsquo; list\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1.jpg\",\"title\":\"Senior art student Daisy Gesualdi curates new exhibit at Brookfield Craft Center\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Daisy Gesualdi\",\"caption\":\"In an ongoing partnership, Brookfield Craft Center supports WCSU&rsquo;s Department of Art through instructor-led, class-curated exhibitions. This year, Gesualdi, a senior art major, was selected to curate this exhibition, which represents the culmination of her four years of studies at WCSU.\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/16\\\/wcsu-senior-art-student-daisy-gesualdi-curates-new-exhibit-at-brookfield-craft-center\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1-300x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1.jpg\",\"index\":151,\"id\":58,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"In an ongoing partnership, Brookfield Craft Center supports WCSU&rsquo;s Department of Art through instructor-led, class-curated exhibitions. This year, Gesualdi, a senior art major, was selected to curate this exhibition, which represents the culmination of her four years of studies at WCSU.\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/16\\\/wcsu-senior-art-student-daisy-gesualdi-curates-new-exhibit-at-brookfield-craft-center\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Daisy-Gesualdi-300x298-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Senior art student Daisy Gesualdi curates new exhibit at Brookfield Craft Center\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Oscar-O-S-2022_3383.jpg\",\"title\":\"Oscar Oldbury-Swift, international exchange student from &lsquo;across the pond&rsquo; breaks swimming records at WCSU\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Oscar-O-S-2022_3383.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Oscar Oldbury-Swift\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I was over the moon with my swims, breaking my own 200m IM record by a further 8 seconds, breaking the 400m IM record by 13 seconds and my own 200m breaststroke record by a further 9 seconds. 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I love that our program ends up having exponential impact because they are extending what they learned back to even more students.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/16\\\/biodiversity-graduate-students-joann-daddio-and-tim-martin-translate-learning-into-teaching-opportunities\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"7.1\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"NIKON D810\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1649089322\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"70\",\"iso\":\"200\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.005\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-300x214.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-768x549.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-1024x732.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-1536x1097.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1.jpg\",\"index\":153,\"id\":50,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Tim and JoAnn came into our master&rsquo;s program as highly accomplished professionals, but it was so fun to work with them and see how our program gave them opportunities to explore their passions for environmental work. ... I love that our program ends up having exponential impact because they are extending what they learned back to even more students.&rdquo;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/16\\\/biodiversity-graduate-students-joann-daddio-and-tim-martin-translate-learning-into-teaching-opportunities\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Bio-Grad-Tim-Martin-2022_6932-2048x1463-1-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Biodiversity graduate students JoAnn D&rsquo;Addio and Tim Martin translate learning into teaching opportunities\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU Field Hockey players Catherine Costa and Olivia Moore win 2022 Barnard Awards\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Olivia Moore and Catherine Costa, Barnard Award winners\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Catherine and Olivia are driven individuals who strive for excellence in everything that they do. 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Each has their own unique set of skills and traits, but both young women have been a shining example of grit and determination for their teammates and peers.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/16\\\/catherine-costa-and-olivia-moore-win-barnard-awards\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"NIKON D810\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1649775073\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"92\",\"iso\":\"64\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0166666666667\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-300x214.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-768x549.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-1024x731.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-1536x1097.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-2048x1463.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy.jpg\",\"index\":154,\"id\":48,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;Catherine and Olivia are driven individuals who strive for excellence in everything that they do. To say I am proud of them is an understatement. Each has their own unique set of skills and traits, but both young women have been a shining example of grit and determination for their teammates and peers.&&#163;34;\\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/16\\\/catherine-costa-and-olivia-moore-win-barnard-awards\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Barnard-recipients-2022_3162-copy-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"WCSU Field Hockey players Catherine Costa and Olivia Moore win 2022 Barnard Awards\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378.jpg\",\"title\":\"Biodiversity graduate student Maria Rodriguez-Hernandez invests in cyanobacteria research\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez\",\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I&rsquo;m pretty excited to do my thesis. It has changed the way I see problems with water quality. ... I&rsquo;ve always cared about the environment and all the aspects of environmental conservation.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/16\\\/wcsu-graduate-student-invests-in-cyanobacteria-research\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":\"3.9\",\"credit\":null,\"camera\":\"FinePix XP130 XP131 XP135\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1616758987\",\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":\"5\",\"iso\":\"100\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.00222222222222\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\",\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378-300x188.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378-768x480.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378-940x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378.jpg\",\"index\":155,\"id\":42,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"&ldquo;I&rsquo;m pretty excited to do my thesis. It has changed the way I see problems with water quality. ... I&rsquo;ve always cared about the environment and all the aspects of environmental conservation.&rdquo; \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/16\\\/wcsu-graduate-student-invests-in-cyanobacteria-research\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Maria-Rodrigues-Hernandez-contributed-F0378-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"Biodiversity graduate student Maria Rodriguez-Hernandez invests in cyanobacteria research\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"},{\"status\":\"active\",\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002.jpg\",\"title\":\"A debt-free double-major leads transfer student Sheila Medina to her dream job at Deloitte\",\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Sheila Medina\",\"caption\":\"My accounting professor told me about WCSU and that my NCC credits would transfer there ... I spoke to Dr. Richard Montague, chair of WCSU&rsquo;s MIS department, who told me I wouldn&rsquo;t have to do a major and minor &mdash; I could do a double major in MIS and Accounting. Not only that, but everything was in one place in WCSU&rsquo;s Ancell School of Business. This changed my whole idea of what I could accomplish! \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/10\\\/a-debt-free-double-major-leads-transfer-student-sheila-medina-to-her-dream-job-at-deloitte\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002-75x50_c.jpg\",\"meta\":{\"aperture\":null,\"credit\":null,\"camera\":null,\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":null,\"copyright\":null,\"focal_length\":null,\"iso\":null,\"shutter_speed\":null,\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":null,\"keywords\":null},\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002-150x150.jpg\",\"medium\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002-300x180.jpg\",\"medium_large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002.jpg\",\"large\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002.jpg\",\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002.jpg\",\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002.jpg\",\"post-thumbnail\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002-500x198.jpg\",\"sow-carousel-default\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002-272x182.jpg\",\"full\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002.jpg\",\"index\":156,\"id\":41,\"video\":false,\"opts\":{\"caption\":\"My accounting professor told me about WCSU and that my NCC credits would transfer there ... I spoke to Dr. Richard Montague, chair of WCSU&rsquo;s MIS department, who told me I wouldn&rsquo;t have to do a major and minor &mdash; I could do a double major in MIS and Accounting. Not only that, but everything was in one place in WCSU&rsquo;s Ancell School of Business. This changed my whole idea of what I could accomplish! \\n&lt;a href=&&#163;34;https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/10\\\/a-debt-free-double-major-leads-transfer-student-sheila-medina-to-her-dream-job-at-deloitte\\\/&&#163;34; rel=&&#163;34;noopener&&#163;34; target=&&#163;34;_blank&&#163;34;&gt;Read more&lt;\\\/a&gt;\",\"thumb\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.wcsu.edu\\\/success-stories\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/231\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Medina-002-75x50_c.jpg\",\"title\":\"A debt-free double-major leads transfer student Sheila Medina to her dream job at Deloitte\"},\"gallery_id\":\"19\"}]' data-lightbox-theme='{&quot;arrows&quot;:true,&quot;margins&quot;:[120,0],&quot;gutter&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;thumbs_position&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;base_template&quot;:&quot;&lt;div id=\\&quot;envirabox-19\\&quot; data-envirabox-id=\\&quot;19\\&quot; class=\\&quot;envirabox-container envirabox-theme-base_dark envirabox-wrap\\&quot; role=\\&quot;dialog\\&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-bg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-outer\\&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-inner\\&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-caption-wrap\\&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-title\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-toolbar\\&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envira-close-button\\&quot;&gt;&lt;a data-envirabox-close class=\\&quot;envirabox-item envirabox-close envirabox-button--close\\&quot; title=\\&quot;Close\\&quot; href=\\&quot;#\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/a&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-navigation\\&quot;&gt;&lt;a data-envirabox-prev title=\\&quot;Prev\\&quot; class=\\&quot;envirabox-arrow envirabox-arrow--left envirabox-nav envirabox-prev\\&quot; href=\\&quot;#\\&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;\\\/span&gt;&lt;\\\/a&gt;&lt;a data-envirabox-next title=\\&quot;Next\\&quot; class=\\&quot;envirabox-arrow envirabox-arrow--right envirabox-nav envirabox-next\\&quot; href=\\&quot;#\\&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;\\\/span&gt;&lt;\\\/a&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-stage\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&quot;,&quot;load_all&quot;:false,&quot;error_template&quot;:&quot;&lt;div class=\\&quot;envirabox-error\\&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;{{ERROR}}&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&quot;,&quot;inner_caption&quot;:false,&quot;caption_position&quot;:false,&quot;arrow_position&quot;:false,&quot;toolbar&quot;:true,&quot;infobar&quot;:false,&quot;show_smallbtn&quot;:false,&quot;idle_time&quot;:false,&quot;click_content&quot;:false,&quot;click_slide&quot;:false,&quot;click_outside&quot;:false,&quot;animation_duration&quot;:false,&quot;transition_duration&quot;:false,&quot;small_btn_template&quot;:&quot;&lt;a data-envirabox-close class=\\&quot;envirabox-item envirabox-close envirabox-button--close\\&quot; title=\\&quot;Close\\&quot; href=\\&quot;#\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/a&gt;&quot;}' data-parsed-attrs='{\"id\":\"19\",\"cache\":true}'><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1719\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-1 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg\" alt=\"Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-1   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1719\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;Even though other programs also offered me scholarships, there was just something different about WestConn. I felt very secure in my choice to come here, and I would encourage anyone to consider this option. WestConn is the most friendly and welcoming place I looked at, and is so different from typical conservatory settings. Here, there is camaraderie and everyone lifts each other up. None of the other schools I considered could have offered a dual major experience this way, and I could not be more grateful for how the university supported me and made it work in my schedule.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/03\/31\/music-performance-and-legal-studies-major-hannah-alexander-receives-barnard-award\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"0\" data-envira-item-id=\"1719\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1719'>Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1719'>\u201cEven though other programs also offered me scholarships, there was just something different about WestConn. I felt very secure in my choice to come here, and I would encourage anyone to consider this option. WestConn is the most friendly and welcoming place I looked at, and is so different from typical conservatory settings. Here, there is camaraderie and everyone lifts each other up. None of the other schools I considered could have offered a dual major experience this way, and I could not be more grateful for how the university supported me and made it work in my schedule.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/03\/31\/music-performance-and-legal-studies-major-hannah-alexander-receives-barnard-award\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1718\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-2 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg\" alt=\"Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-2   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1718\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;I am driven to support and uplift those around me as I understand how powerful it is to feel seen, supported, and capable. Education has given me structure and confidence, but it has also given me perspective &amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#148; the awareness that my accomplishments rest upon a foundation built by others&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153; sacrifice. I am filled with gratitude, especially for my father who believed in me and my education even when life required him to carry more than most. To get the Barnard Award is not just recognition for the work I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;ve put in, but his too.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/03\/31\/financial-management-and-psychology-major-gianna-fanelli-receives-barnard-award\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"1\" data-envira-item-id=\"1718\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1718'>Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1718'>\u201cI am driven to support and uplift those around me as I understand how powerful it is to feel seen, supported, and capable. Education has given me structure and confidence, but it has also given me perspective \u2014 the awareness that my accomplishments rest upon a foundation built by others\u2019 sacrifice. I am filled with gratitude, especially for my father who believed in me and my education even when life required him to carry more than most. To get the Barnard Award is not just recognition for the work I\u2019ve put in, but his too.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/03\/31\/financial-management-and-psychology-major-gianna-fanelli-receives-barnard-award\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1709\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-3 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg\" alt=\"2026 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients excelled while engaged in dual degree pursuits\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-3   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"2026 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients excelled while engaged in dual degree pursuits\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Fanelli said, &amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;The Financial Management and Psychology disciplines challenge me in different, yet complimentary ways. Together, they gave me both structure and perspective. It has clarified the kind of professional I aspire to become &amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#148; someone who understands the financial frameworks that drive organizations, and the human dynamics that sustain them.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157;  Alexander said, &amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;While I know music is and will always be a huge part of my life, I am ready to explore additional avenues and begin to branch out from my musical cocoon. After graduating, I hope to go to an Ivy League Law School. I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m interested in commercial law and its ties to the music community in areas like intellectual property and copyright law.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/03\/31\/2026-henry-barnard-distinguished-student-award-recipients-excelled-while-engaged-in-dual-degree-pursuits\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"2\" data-envira-item-id=\"1709\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"2026 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients excelled while engaged in dual degree pursuits\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1709'>2026 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients excelled while engaged in dual degree pursuits<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1709'>Fanelli said, \u201cThe Financial Management and Psychology disciplines challenge me in different, yet complimentary ways. Together, they gave me both structure and perspective. It has clarified the kind of professional I aspire to become \u2014 someone who understands the financial frameworks that drive organizations, and the human dynamics that sustain them.\u201d<br \/>\n<br \/>\nAlexander said, \u201cWhile I know music is and will always be a huge part of my life, I am ready to explore additional avenues and begin to branch out from my musical cocoon. After graduating, I hope to go to an Ivy League Law School. I\u2019m interested in commercial law and its ties to the music community in areas like intellectual property and copyright law.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/03\/31\/2026-henry-barnard-distinguished-student-award-recipients-excelled-while-engaged-in-dual-degree-pursuits\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1703\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-4 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"WCSU student Daniel Sousa Silva selected for Connecticut Poetry Circuit\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-4   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-scaled.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-scaled.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"WestConn student Daniel Sousa Silva selected for Connecticut Poetry Circuit\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;Poetry is important because it&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s words and words hold a lot of power. Words can do a lot for people. It can make you feel seen, make you feel something you haven&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;t felt before, put words to thoughts and feelings you had, spread ideas, and make you feel alive or dead.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157;  &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/03\/04\/wcsu-student-dan-sousa-silva-selected-for-connecticut-poetry-circuit\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"3\" data-envira-item-id=\"1703\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-1024x683.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-1024x683.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-1024x683.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"WestConn student Daniel Sousa Silva selected for Connecticut Poetry Circuit\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1703'>WestConn student Daniel Sousa Silva selected for Connecticut Poetry Circuit<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1703'>\u201cPoetry is important because it\u2019s words and words hold a lot of power. Words can do a lot for people. It can make you feel seen, make you feel something you haven\u2019t felt before, put words to thoughts and feelings you had, spread ideas, and make you feel alive or dead.\u201d <br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/03\/04\/wcsu-student-dan-sousa-silva-selected-for-connecticut-poetry-circuit\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1674\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-5 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2026\/02\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his &lsquo;show on the road&rsquo; to share his love of theatre with his students\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-5   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2026\/02\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2026\/02\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his \u2018show on the road\u2019 to share his love of theatre with his students\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;... since most of our students are focusing on performance, while I come to the field from the literary\/history\/criticism angle, I think it&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s important for them to understand that there are other ways to appreciate the art &amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#148; to find more to excite them and inform their understanding and work.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/02\/25\/dr-donald-gagnon-takes-his-show-on-the-road-to-share-his-love-of-theatre-with-his-students\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"4\" data-envira-item-id=\"1674\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2026\/02\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2026\/02\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2026\/02\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his &lsquo;show on the road&rsquo; to share his love of theatre with his students\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1674'>Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his \u2018show on the road\u2019 to share his love of theatre with his students<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1674'>\u201c... since most of our students are focusing on performance, while I come to the field from the literary\/history\/criticism angle, I think it\u2019s important for them to understand that there are other ways to appreciate the art \u2014 to find more to excite them and inform their understanding and work.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/02\/25\/dr-donald-gagnon-takes-his-show-on-the-road-to-share-his-love-of-theatre-with-his-students\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1672\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-6 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"New WCSU science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-6   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"New science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;I have dreamed of contributing to the development of a forensic science major and\/or minor here at WCSU because many of my students over the years have indicated their interest in such a major and there is a shortage of forensic scientists in the State of Connecticut; this course would perfectly support this endeavor.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/02\/20\/new-wcsu-science-class-turns-the-chemistry-lab-into-a-crime-scene-investigation\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"5\" data-envira-item-id=\"1672\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-683x1024.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-683x1024.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-683x1024.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"New science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1672'>New science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1672'> \u201cI have dreamed of contributing to the development of a forensic science major and\/or minor here at WCSU because many of my students over the years have indicated their interest in such a major and there is a shortage of forensic scientists in the State of Connecticut; this course would perfectly support this endeavor.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2026\/02\/20\/new-wcsu-science-class-turns-the-chemistry-lab-into-a-crime-scene-investigation\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1648\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-7 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg\" alt=\"First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-7   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;Take advantage of all the opportunities at WestConn like the HSLP. It can be scary or nerve wracking to put yourself out there, but taking the leap of faith and taking a chance can help students gain more opportunities such as this one. There are so many staff members and peers that are supportive and willing to be the helping hand.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/12\/12\/first-generation-westconn-student-elisa-cardona-has-a-lot-to-celebrate-this-holiday-season\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"6\" data-envira-item-id=\"1648\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1648'>First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1648'>\u201cTake advantage of all the opportunities at WestConn like the HSLP. It can be scary or nerve wracking to put yourself out there, but taking the leap of faith and taking a chance can help students gain more opportunities such as this one. There are so many staff members and peers that are supportive and willing to be the helping hand.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/12\/12\/first-generation-westconn-student-elisa-cardona-has-a-lot-to-celebrate-this-holiday-season\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1641\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-8 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-1024x752.jpg\" alt=\"You can&rsquo;t argue with the success of WestConn&rsquo;s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association&rsquo;s National Championship Tournament\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-8   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"You can\u2019t argue with the success of WestConn\u2019s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association\u2019s National Championship Tournament\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;WestConn&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s &#039;superpower&#039; is its culture. The students we have, the time and emotional commitment that they put into this, makes it an honor to spend time with them, and it&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s not surprising that this was WestConn Moot Court&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s most successful year.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157;  &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/12\/05\/you-cant-argue-with-the-success-of-westconns-first-all-female-moot-court-team-to-qualify-for-the-american-moot-court-associations-national-championship-tournament\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"7\" data-envira-item-id=\"1641\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-1024x752.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-1024x752.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped-1024x752.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"You can&rsquo;t argue with the success of WestConn&rsquo;s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association&rsquo;s National Championship Tournament\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1641'>You can\u2019t argue with the success of WestConn\u2019s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association\u2019s National Championship Tournament<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1641'>\u201cWestConn\u2019s 'superpower' is its culture. The students we have, the time and emotional commitment that they put into this, makes it an honor to spend time with them, and it\u2019s not surprising that this was WestConn Moot Court\u2019s most successful year.\u201d<br \/>\n<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/12\/05\/you-cant-argue-with-the-success-of-westconns-first-all-female-moot-court-team-to-qualify-for-the-american-moot-court-associations-national-championship-tournament\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1628\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-9 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-9   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;STEM education is the priority. Because of my work, I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m considered an expert in applying natural history collections in the classroom. This ties in with my National Science Foundation grant and sea turtle research. I plan to continue to look at interspecies relationships with the help of grants and funding that the university has obtained to support my work.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/12\/02\/never-one-to-sit-still-dr-theodora-pinou-has-been-globe-trotting-with-the-goal-to-document-biodiversity-and-instill-a-love-of-stem-in-students\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"8\" data-envira-item-id=\"1628\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-768x1024.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-768x1024.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin-768x1024.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1628'>Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1628'>\u201cSTEM education is the priority. Because of my work, I\u2019m considered an expert in applying natural history collections in the classroom. This ties in with my National Science Foundation grant and sea turtle research. I plan to continue to look at interspecies relationships with the help of grants and funding that the university has obtained to support my work.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/12\/02\/never-one-to-sit-still-dr-theodora-pinou-has-been-globe-trotting-with-the-goal-to-document-biodiversity-and-instill-a-love-of-stem-in-students\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1613\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-10 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-864x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see &rsquo;90s politics from both perspectives\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-10   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-scaled.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-scaled.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see \u201990s politics from both perspectives\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;I think my classmates appreciate what we&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;re both bringing to the class, and how we present it to them. I feel that political science is like a puzzle and I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;ve been able to piece the puzzle together; and now I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m trying to help my fellow students understand how to do it, too, in order to comprehend what&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s happening right now. It&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s amazing as an undergraduate to have an opportunity to work so closely with a university professor like this. Not only has it been really fun and rewarding, but I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m not sure I would have had this kind of opportunity anywhere else.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/11\/19\/a-collaboration-between-poli-sci-professor-and-student-allows-classmates-to-see-90s-politics-from-both-perspectives\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"9\" data-envira-item-id=\"1613\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-864x1024.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-864x1024.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-864x1024.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see &rsquo;90s politics from both perspectives\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1613'>A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see \u201990s politics from both perspectives<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1613'>\u201cI think my classmates appreciate what we\u2019re both bringing to the class, and how we present it to them. I feel that political science is like a puzzle and I\u2019ve been able to piece the puzzle together; and now I\u2019m trying to help my fellow students understand how to do it, too, in order to comprehend what\u2019s happening right now. It\u2019s amazing as an undergraduate to have an opportunity to work so closely with a university professor like this. Not only has it been really fun and rewarding, but I\u2019m not sure I would have had this kind of opportunity anywhere else.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/11\/19\/a-collaboration-between-poli-sci-professor-and-student-allows-classmates-to-see-90s-politics-from-both-perspectives\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1596\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-11 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg\" alt=\"Criminologist Casey Jordan&rsquo;s new true crime podcast launches\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-11   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Criminologist Casey Jordan\u2019s new true crime podcast launches\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;brvbar; the difference between &amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#152;Criminal Appeal&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153; and other true-crime podcasts is that Dr. Jordan features cases that she knows firsthand because she worked them in real-time. The show confronts tough questions about the justice system, media influence, and the gray areas of morality that surround every accused offender and determine every verdict.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/11\/05\/criminologist-casey-jordans-new-true-crime-podcast-launches\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"10\" data-envira-item-id=\"1596\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Criminologist Casey Jordan&rsquo;s new true crime podcast launches\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1596'>Criminologist Casey Jordan\u2019s new true crime podcast launches<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1596'>\u201c\u2026 the difference between \u2018Criminal Appeal\u2019 and other true-crime podcasts is that Dr. Jordan features cases that she knows firsthand because she worked them in real-time. The show confronts tough questions about the justice system, media influence, and the gray areas of morality that surround every accused offender and determine every verdict.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/11\/05\/criminologist-casey-jordans-new-true-crime-podcast-launches\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1588\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-12 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\" alt=\"Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-12   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;Autonomy and agency were important to me. WCSU provided the flexibility to own my schedule and provided me with the tools to figure out how I could make learning work on my time. I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m not sure I would have had that level of autonomy anywhere else.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/11\/04\/alumna-natasha-valani-leveraged-her-knowledge-of-marketing-and-curiosity-about-career-options-to-become-the-chief-people-officer-at-tubi\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"11\" data-envira-item-id=\"1588\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1588'>Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1588'>\u201cAutonomy and agency were important to me. WCSU provided the flexibility to own my schedule and provided me with the tools to figure out how I could make learning work on my time. I\u2019m not sure I would have had that level of autonomy anywhere else.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/11\/04\/alumna-natasha-valani-leveraged-her-knowledge-of-marketing-and-curiosity-about-career-options-to-become-the-chief-people-officer-at-tubi\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1585\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-13 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"MIS Professor Emilio Collar&rsquo;s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student club\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-13   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"MIS Professor Emilio Collar\u2019s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student club\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;As a result, the university&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s Vintage Computer Association was created as an official student club with Collar as its adviser, and plans are underway for a physical space to be formally created for the lab. &amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;The administration has been very responsive to the students&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153; requests. We are going to revitalize a former computer science lab in the Westside Classroom Building to create a permanent vintage computer lab.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/11\/04\/mis-professor-emilio-collars-hobby-inspires-a-new-lab-space-a-new-course-and-a-growing-student-club\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"12\" data-envira-item-id=\"1585\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-1024x683.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-1024x683.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers-1024x683.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"MIS Professor Emilio Collar&rsquo;s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student club\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1585'>MIS Professor Emilio Collar\u2019s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student club<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1585'>As a result, the university\u2019s Vintage Computer Association was created as an official student club with Collar as its adviser, and plans are underway for a physical space to be formally created for the lab. \u201cThe administration has been very responsive to the students\u2019 requests. We are going to revitalize a former computer science lab in the Westside Classroom Building to create a permanent vintage computer lab.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/11\/04\/mis-professor-emilio-collars-hobby-inspires-a-new-lab-space-a-new-course-and-a-growing-student-club\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1553\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-14 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg\" alt=\"At WCSU, Air Force Veteran Neal Macmillen has found it&rsquo;s never too late to follow your dreams\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-14   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"At WCSU, Air Force Veteran Neal Macmillen has found it\u2019s never too late to follow your dreams\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;I do enjoy attending class, seeing what&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s changed and what&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s new. Science is evolving. Now we have computer models and the art is in choosing which model to use for your forecast situation. It used to be more hands on before computers. Being on campus is a little surreal. I don&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;t feel 72, I feel like a young student, but my body says otherwise.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/28\/at-wcsu-air-force-veteran-neal-macmillen-has-found-its-never-too-late-to-follow-your-dreams-especially-with-a-little-help-from-your-friends\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"13\" data-envira-item-id=\"1553\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"At WCSU, Air Force Veteran Neal Macmillen has found it&rsquo;s never too late to follow your dreams\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1553'>At WCSU, Air Force Veteran Neal Macmillen has found it\u2019s never too late to follow your dreams<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1553'>\u201cI do enjoy attending class, seeing what\u2019s changed and what\u2019s new. Science is evolving. Now we have computer models and the art is in choosing which model to use for your forecast situation. It used to be more hands on before computers. Being on campus is a little surreal. I don\u2019t feel 72, I feel like a young student, but my body says otherwise.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/28\/at-wcsu-air-force-veteran-neal-macmillen-has-found-its-never-too-late-to-follow-your-dreams-especially-with-a-little-help-from-your-friends\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1530\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-15 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\" alt=\"At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his &lsquo;pitch&rsquo;\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-15   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his \u2018pitch\u2019\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;Getting my degree at WestConn helped me get to where I am today. The courses offered, coupled with the business community around the school, gave me options that other universities could not, and I look back on my college experience with gratitude for giving me the tools and guidance to succeed.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/14\/at-wcsu-connor-nolan-perfected-his-pitch\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"14\" data-envira-item-id=\"1530\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png 2x\" data-title=\"At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his &lsquo;pitch&rsquo;\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1530'>At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his \u2018pitch\u2019<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1530'>\u201cGetting my degree at WestConn helped me get to where I am today. The courses offered, coupled with the business community around the school, gave me options that other universities could not, and I look back on my college experience with gratitude for giving me the tools and guidance to succeed.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/14\/at-wcsu-connor-nolan-perfected-his-pitch\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1503\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-16 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-970x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Terry Dwyer&rsquo;s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-16   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Terry Dwyer\u2019s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;We&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;re here to teach both the theoretical and the practical, and students come from different backgrounds and have different interests, so when they realize professors are multi-faceted human beings, it&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s easier to make a connection and for them to see that they&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;re not limited in their aspirations. I am always happy to give advice to my students, and the bottom line is that I care, and I want all of them to be successful.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/08\/terry-dwyers-career-experiences-come-into-play-in-the-classroom-and-beyond\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"15\" data-envira-item-id=\"1503\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-970x1024.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-970x1024.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait-970x1024.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Terry Dwyer&rsquo;s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1503'>Terry Dwyer\u2019s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1503'>\u201cWe\u2019re here to teach both the theoretical and the practical, and students come from different backgrounds and have different interests, so when they realize professors are multi-faceted human beings, it\u2019s easier to make a connection and for them to see that they\u2019re not limited in their aspirations. I am always happy to give advice to my students, and the bottom line is that I care, and I want all of them to be successful.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/08\/terry-dwyers-career-experiences-come-into-play-in-the-classroom-and-beyond\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1487\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-17 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Collin-Testa5-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Collin Testa&rsquo;s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-17   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1487\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Collin-Testa5.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Collin-Testa5.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Collin Testa\u2019s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;If you do a study-abroad program, look into all available resources, scholarships, etc. Put yourself out there. Introduce yourself to everything. You never know who you will meet, what memories you will make, what opportunities may come from meeting another person. Go and live each day to the fullest.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/03\/collin-testas-study-abroad-experience-amps-up-his-desire-to-teach-english-in-japan\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"16\" data-envira-item-id=\"1487\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Collin-Testa5-1024x683.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Collin-Testa5-1024x683.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Collin-Testa5-1024x683.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Collin Testa&rsquo;s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1487'>Collin Testa\u2019s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1487'>\u201cIf you do a study-abroad program, look into all available resources, scholarships, etc. Put yourself out there. Introduce yourself to everything. You never know who you will meet, what memories you will make, what opportunities may come from meeting another person. Go and live each day to the fullest.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/03\/collin-testas-study-abroad-experience-amps-up-his-desire-to-teach-english-in-japan\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1486\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-18 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg\" alt=\"Elizabeth Melita overcame her own obstacles and turned them into a way to help others\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-18   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Elizabeth Melita overcame her own obstacles and turned them into a way to help others\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;WCSU was really the only choice for me for my bachelor&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s. It&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s one of the top programs out there. A lot of WCSU&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s Nursing professors have real-world nursing experience and provide that knowledge to the students. Everyone I encountered was amazing, and the WCSU Nursing Department is a family. I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m still friends with so many of them, which is incredibly helpful in my current job because I need resources and referral sources. WCSU gave me the opportunity to build a network.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/03\/elizabeth-melita-overcame-her-own-obstacles-and-turned-them-into-a-way-to-help-others\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"17\" data-envira-item-id=\"1486\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Elizabeth Melita overcame her own obstacles and turned them into a way to help others\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1486'>Elizabeth Melita overcame her own obstacles and turned them into a way to help others<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1486'>\u201cWCSU was really the only choice for me for my bachelor\u2019s. It\u2019s one of the top programs out there. A lot of WCSU\u2019s Nursing professors have real-world nursing experience and provide that knowledge to the students. Everyone I encountered was amazing, and the WCSU Nursing Department is a family. I\u2019m still friends with so many of them, which is incredibly helpful in my current job because I need resources and referral sources. WCSU gave me the opportunity to build a network.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/10\/03\/elizabeth-melita-overcame-her-own-obstacles-and-turned-them-into-a-way-to-help-others\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1470\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-19 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/awsConference-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Alumna Nikita Karim propelled her curiosity about technology into a stellar computing career that supports women in STEM\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-19   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/awsConference.jpeg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/awsConference.jpeg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Alumna Nikita Karim propelled her curiosity about technology into a stellar computing career that supports women in STEM\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;I encourage others to strive for greater opportunities: pursue higher education, set the example you want to see in the world, take space, and never hesitate to walk into rooms where you may be the only one who looks like you. Travel, explore new cultures, build your network, and embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. What makes you different is your strength, so lean into it and let it carry you forward.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/09\/02\/alumna-nikita-karim-has-propelled-her-curiosity-about-technology-into-a-stellar-computing-career-that-supports-women-in-stem\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"18\" data-envira-item-id=\"1470\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/awsConference-768x1024.jpeg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/awsConference-768x1024.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/awsConference-768x1024.jpeg 2x\" data-title=\"Alumna Nikita Karim propelled her curiosity about technology into a stellar computing career that supports women in STEM\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1470'>Alumna Nikita Karim propelled her curiosity about technology into a stellar computing career that supports women in STEM<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1470'>\u201cI encourage others to strive for greater opportunities: pursue higher education, set the example you want to see in the world, take space, and never hesitate to walk into rooms where you may be the only one who looks like you. Travel, explore new cultures, build your network, and embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. What makes you different is your strength, so lean into it and let it carry you forward.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/09\/02\/alumna-nikita-karim-has-propelled-her-curiosity-about-technology-into-a-stellar-computing-career-that-supports-women-in-stem\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1469\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-20 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio &amp;amp; Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-20   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio &amp; Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;The thing I enjoyed most about attending WCSU was all the people I met and friends I made throughout my four years. As a music major, not only is it very important to start building your network as early as you can, but it&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s also just really special to meet other people who are interested in the same thing as you and genuinely want to work on their craft.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/08\/29\/unexpected-text-informs-wcsu-audio-music-production-alumna-rosemary-minkler-of-her-emmy-award-win\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"19\" data-envira-item-id=\"1469\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-768x1024.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-768x1024.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333-768x1024.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio &amp;amp;amp; Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1469'>Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio &amp; Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1469'>\u201cThe thing I enjoyed most about attending WCSU was all the people I met and friends I made throughout my four years. As a music major, not only is it very important to start building your network as early as you can, but it\u2019s also just really special to meet other people who are interested in the same thing as you and genuinely want to work on their craft.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/08\/29\/unexpected-text-informs-wcsu-audio-music-production-alumna-rosemary-minkler-of-her-emmy-award-win\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1443\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-21 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\" alt=\"&lsquo;Gridiron Scholar&rsquo; John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-21   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"\u2018Gridiron Scholar\u2019 John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;I joined the student newspaper, The Echo, for three or four years. I had the opportunity to write about the university&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s sports teams and ultimately during my senior year, I became the sports editor. I also was able to broadcast basketball games as an analyst on WXCI, the campus radio station. These activities strengthened my writing ability and provided an outlet for my love of sports.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/08\/06\/gridiron-scholar-john-laub-has-capitalized-on-the-skills-he-acquired-on-campus-to-excel-at-both-his-hobby-and-his-career\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"20\" data-envira-item-id=\"1443\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"&lsquo;Gridiron Scholar&rsquo; John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1443'>\u2018Gridiron Scholar\u2019 John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1443'>\u201cI joined the student newspaper, The Echo, for three or four years. I had the opportunity to write about the university\u2019s sports teams and ultimately during my senior year, I became the sports editor. I also was able to broadcast basketball games as an analyst on WXCI, the campus radio station. These activities strengthened my writing ability and provided an outlet for my love of sports.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/08\/06\/gridiron-scholar-john-laub-has-capitalized-on-the-skills-he-acquired-on-campus-to-excel-at-both-his-hobby-and-his-career\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1442\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-22 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/gig-photo-bari.jpg\" alt=\"CMEA&rsquo;s Music Educator of the Year Dan O&rsquo;Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-22   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/gig-photo-bari.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/gig-photo-bari.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"CMEA\u2019s Music Educator of the Year Dan O\u2019Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m definitely grateful for my time at WCSU. It was a very special place to have spent my formative years while aspiring to play unique music, and it&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s served me well. ... My time at WCSU allowed me to cultivate a sense of pioneerism and has enabled me to try to make the world better by encouraging creativity in music education.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157;  &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/08\/04\/cmeas-music-educator-of-the-year-dan-obrien-has-always-had-a-plan-and-the-plan-has-been-to-improvise\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"21\" data-envira-item-id=\"1442\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/gig-photo-bari.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/gig-photo-bari.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/gig-photo-bari.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"CMEA&rsquo;s Music Educator of the Year Dan O&rsquo;Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1442'>CMEA\u2019s Music Educator of the Year Dan O\u2019Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1442'>\u201cI\u2019m definitely grateful for my time at WCSU. It was a very special place to have spent my formative years while aspiring to play unique music, and it\u2019s served me well. ... My time at WCSU allowed me to cultivate a sense of pioneerism and has enabled me to try to make the world better by encouraging creativity in music education.\u201d<br \/>\n<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/08\/04\/cmeas-music-educator-of-the-year-dan-obrien-has-always-had-a-plan-and-the-plan-has-been-to-improvise\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1428\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-23 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/September-Baraquin_resized-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The third time&rsquo;s the charm for Stratford&rsquo;s 2006 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-23   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"The third time\u2019s the charm for Stratford\u2019s 2006 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;So many studies demonstrate the value of the arts to keep us healthy and well, and in my own life, opera has helped me heal from a difficult situation. You have to always reinvent yourself every so often so you can grow. I try to impress this upon my students in the same way that my WCSU professors, Dr. Astrup and Dr. Isaacs, helped shape me. WCSU is home to me, and I had so many good experiences there.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/08\/04\/the-third-times-the-charm-for-stratfords-2006-teacher-of-the-year-september-baraquin\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"22\" data-envira-item-id=\"1428\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/September-Baraquin_resized-768x1024.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/September-Baraquin_resized-768x1024.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/September-Baraquin_resized-768x1024.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"The third time&rsquo;s the charm for Stratford&rsquo;s 2006 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1428'>The third time\u2019s the charm for Stratford\u2019s 2006 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1428'>\u201cSo many studies demonstrate the value of the arts to keep us healthy and well, and in my own life, opera has helped me heal from a difficult situation. You have to always reinvent yourself every so often so you can grow. I try to impress this upon my students in the same way that my WCSU professors, Dr. Astrup and Dr. Isaacs, helped shape me. WCSU is home to me, and I had so many good experiences there.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/08\/04\/the-third-times-the-charm-for-stratfords-2006-teacher-of-the-year-september-baraquin\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1412\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-24 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Mike-Ances.jpg\" alt=\"At several points in his 28-year career, Monroe&rsquo;s Teacher of the Year Michael Ances has found smooth sailing when collaborating with WCSU\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-24   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Mike-Ances.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Mike-Ances.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"At several points in his 28-year career, Monroe\u2019s Teacher of the Year Michael Ances has found smooth sailing when collaborating with WCSU\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;WCSU is really a big piece of my total network. You can&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;t throw a stone in Connecticut without hitting a WCSU music alum. I&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m a huge proponent, and I definitely had really good experiences there.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/07\/03\/at-several-points-in-his-28-year-career-monroes-teacher-of-the-year-michael-ances-has-found-smooth-sailing-when-collaborating-with-wcsu\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"23\" data-envira-item-id=\"1412\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Mike-Ances.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Mike-Ances.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Mike-Ances.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"At several points in his 28-year career, Monroe&rsquo;s Teacher of the Year Michael Ances has found smooth sailing when collaborating with WCSU\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1412'>At several points in his 28-year career, Monroe\u2019s Teacher of the Year Michael Ances has found smooth sailing when collaborating with WCSU<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1412'>\u201cWCSU is really a big piece of my total network. You can\u2019t throw a stone in Connecticut without hitting a WCSU music alum. I\u2019m a huge proponent, and I definitely had really good experiences there.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/07\/03\/at-several-points-in-his-28-year-career-monroes-teacher-of-the-year-michael-ances-has-found-smooth-sailing-when-collaborating-with-wcsu\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"envira-gallery-item-1397\" class=\"envira-gallery-item envira-gallery-item-25 enviratope-item\" style=\"padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-right: 8px;\"  itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-item-inner\"><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-top-right\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-left\"><\/div><div class=\"envira-gallery-position-overlay envira-gallery-bottom-right\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-1024x615.jpg\" alt=\"Brian Betesh, Danbury&rsquo;s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing &ldquo;full circle&rdquo; moments\" class=\"envira-gallery-image envira-gallery-image-25   \" height=\"480\" id=\"envira-gallery-image-1397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped.jpg, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped.jpg 2x\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Brian Betesh, Danbury\u2019s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing \u201cfull circle\u201d moments\" width=\"640\" data-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;It&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s cool that I started my education here in Danbury and came full circle to get my second master&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;s degree at WCSU. It was great to be on campus and explore something right in my backyard. I hope to bring my students to check it out next.&amp;acirc;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/07\/02\/brian-betesh-danburys-2025-teacher-of-the-year-finds-life-has-a-funny-way-of-providing-full-circle-moments\/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Read more&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-envira-gallery-id=\"19\" data-envira-index=\"24\" data-envira-item-id=\"1397\" data-envira-src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-1024x615.jpg\" data-envira-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-1024x615.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped-1024x615.jpg 2x\" data-title=\"Brian Betesh, Danbury&rsquo;s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing &ldquo;full circle&rdquo; moments\" itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  data-envirabox=\"19\" \/><div class=\"envira-gallery-captioned-data envira-gallery-captioned-data-base\"><span class='envira-title envira-gallery-captioned-text title-1397'>Brian Betesh, Danbury\u2019s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing \u201cfull circle\u201d moments<\/span><span class='envira-caption envira-gallery-captioned-text caption-1397'>\u201cIt\u2019s cool that I started my education here in Danbury and came full circle to get my second master\u2019s degree at WCSU. It was great to be on campus and explore something right in my backyard. I hope to bring my students to check it out next.\u201d<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/2025\/07\/02\/brian-betesh-danburys-2025-teacher-of-the-year-finds-life-has-a-funny-way-of-providing-full-circle-moments\/\" target=\"_blank\">Read more<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"envira-pagination envira-pagination-ajax-load\"  data-envira-post-id=\"32\" data-type=\"gallery\" data-page=\"1\" data-per-page=\"25\" data-max-pages=\"7\"><span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\">1<\/span>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/envira\/students\/?page=2\">2<\/a>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/envira\/students\/?page=3\">3<\/a>\n<span class=\"page-numbers dots\">&hellip;<\/span>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/envira\/students\/?page=7\">7<\/a>\n<a rel=\"next\" class=\"next page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/envira\/students\/?page=2\">Next \u00bb<\/a><\/div><\/div><noscript><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Hannah-Alexander2_1000x600.jpg' alt='Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Gianna-Fanelli_1000x600.jpg' alt='Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Barnard-Winners-2026_1000x600.jpg' alt='2026 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients excelled while engaged in dual degree pursuits' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dan-Sousa-Silva-portrait-scaled.jpg' alt='WCSU student Daniel Sousa Silva selected for Connecticut Poetry Circuit' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2026\/02\/Don-Gagnon_395x600.jpg' alt='Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his \u2018show on the road\u2019 to share his love of theatre with his students' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Forest-Robertson_lab_vertical_1000x1500-rotated.jpg' alt='New WCSU science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Elisa-Cardona-portrait_1000x667.jpg' alt='First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Moot-Court-Grace-and-Julia_cropped.jpg' alt='You can\u2019t argue with the success of WestConn\u2019s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association\u2019s National Championship Tournament' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dora-Pinou-with-specimin.jpg' alt='Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Chris-Powers-and-Howell-Williams_cropped-scaled.jpg' alt='A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see \u201990s politics from both perspectives' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Dr.-Casey-Jordan_Criminal-Appeal_cropped_resized.jpg' alt='Criminologist Casey Jordan\u2019s new true crime podcast launches' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Natasha-Valani-portrait_.jpg' alt='Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Emilio-Collar-with-his-computers.jpg' alt='MIS Professor Emilio Collar\u2019s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student club' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Neal-Macmillen-Korea.jpg' alt='At WCSU, Air Force Veteran Neal Macmillen has found it\u2019s never too late to follow your dreams' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Connor-Nolan-Portrait.png' alt='At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his \u2018pitch\u2019' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Terry-Dwyer-portrait.jpg' alt='Terry Dwyer\u2019s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Collin-Testa5.jpg' alt='Collin Testa\u2019s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Liz-Melita-portrait_resized.jpg' alt='Elizabeth Melita overcame her own obstacles and turned them into a way to help others' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/awsConference.jpeg' alt='Alumna Nikita Karim propelled her curiosity about technology into a stellar computing career that supports women in STEM' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/rosemary-Emmy_1000x1333.jpg' alt='Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio &amp; Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/John-Laub-portrait_resized.jpg' alt='\u2018Gridiron Scholar\u2019 John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/gig-photo-bari.jpg' alt='CMEA\u2019s Music Educator of the Year Dan O\u2019Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/September-Baraquin_resized-rotated.jpg' alt='The third time\u2019s the charm for Stratford\u2019s 2006 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Mike-Ances.jpg' alt='At several points in his 28-year career, Monroe\u2019s Teacher of the Year Michael Ances has found smooth sailing when collaborating with WCSU' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><img src='https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/12\/Betesh-Superlative-Photo_cropped.jpg' alt='Brian Betesh, Danbury\u2019s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing \u201cfull circle\u201d moments' class='envira_noscript_images ' \/><\/noscript>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-32","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/success-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}